Advantages' Regional Sales Report Shows South Leads Nation In Promo Sales

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Apr 23, 2019, 11:53 ET

TREVOSE, Pa., April 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual Promotional Products State and Regional Sales Report released today by Advantages^® magazine shows the promo industry enjoyed its strongest annual growth in five years, increasing by 4.9% for a total of $24.7 billion in 2018, with the South leading the nation with sales of $9 billion and the West overtaking the East as the second-largest promo market.

Advantages’ Regional Sales Report Shows South Leads Nation In Promo Sales

"Our research shows that major economies in states like New York and Michigan are on the mend, while Texas and Florida have left extraordinary challenges behind after suffering through historic hurricanes," said Editor-in-Chief C.J. Mittica (@CJ_Advantages). "And while a looming trade war with China has everyone on edge, so far the threat of tariffs hasn't impacted the promo industry."

Click here for infographics and a breakdown of region-by-region highlights from the report, which analyzed 2018 sales. The special issue also identifies the latest promo trends and markets, along with a Hot List of products to pitch end-buyers, like reversible umbrellas and tech accessories.

Advantages, published by the Advertising Specialty Institute^® (ASI), is the leading B-to-B publication for distributor salespeople in the promotional products industry. The best-known corporations in the world, along with schools, healthcare companies, financial institutions and nonprofits, rely on giveaway promo products like branded T-shirts, mugs and caps to advertise their brand, thank employees and clients and promote their events.

Highlights from the report include:

A total of 39 states (and one district) increased sales growth from 2017, with Utah, Washington and Nevada leading the way.
The South and West made the most gains in 2018, with Texas ($3.2 billion), California ($2 billion) and Florida ($1.4 billion) posting top sales. The top 16 fastest-growing states come from these two regions.
After years of gaining ground, the West, with growth of 6.3%, overtook the East, which grew just 3.2%, as the second-largest promo region in the country, thanks to an attractive job market, ongoing tech boom, growing population and affordable living.
Promo sales in the East did grow by nearly a percentage point, but the region has stagnated, especially compared to other regions.
The Midwest is growing the slowest but is showing signs of emerging from a tough business climate.

About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI^®) serves a network of 23,500 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $24.7 billion promotional products industry.

SOURCE Advertising Specialty Institute