Study Shows Sales of Promotional Products Rebound; Recovery Comes after Historic Two-Year Decline 4/21/2004
From: Bill Prickett of the Promotional Products Association International, 972-258-3041 or BillP@ppa.org IRVING, Texas, April 21 -- Sales of promotional products in 2003 increased 4.57 percent over the previous year, reversing a two-year decline. According to the annual industry study conducted exclusively for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the estimated 2003 sales total is $16,341,132,020. Sales were $15.6 billion in 2002. PPAI's 2003 Estimate of Promotional Products Distributors Sales is the most comprehensive study of its kind in the industry and is conducted by independent researchers based on actual sales reported by promotional products distributors. Recovery Follows Unprecedented Decline In 2001, the promotional products industry saw the first decline in almost three decades, with another decline the following year. The two-year decline began with the aftermath of terrorist attacks at the end of the year, when most distributors see their highest sales. Other key factors included fewer companies in the industry due to mergers, a reduction in the number of distributor companies in the marketplace and an overall struggling economy. PPAI Continues Long History of Industry Sales Research PPAI has been researching and releasing industry sales data since 1965 and is still considered the most definitive and unbiased figures in the industry, employing time-tested research methodology and utilizing an objective outside source to conduct the research and compile the statistics. To gather the data for the PPAI annual sales volume estimate, a survey is sent to a sample of 15,500 distributors, drawing from an estimated total number of 20,956. The lists are compiled from PPAI membership as well as from four other industry organizations/firms. The distributor companies are divided into two groups -- those with sales more than $2.5 million and those with sales less than $2.5 million. The study was conducted exclusively for PPAI by Alan D. Fletcher, Ph.D. at the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University and Rick Ebel, former marketing communications director of PPAI, and principal of Glenrich Business Studies in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The complete study, along with charts, graphs and statistics illustrating various segments of the promotional products industry, will be released in the June issue of PPB magazine and posted on the PPAI Web site (www.ppa.org) on June 1, where information on PPAI's sales volume studies since 1974 is currently available. Promotional products-usually imprinted with a company's name, logo or message-include useful or decorative articles of merchandise that are used in marketing and communication programs. Promotional products include advertising specialties, premiums, incentives, awards, trophies, business gifts and commemoratives. Research studies have shown the effectiveness of promotional products, especially in a tough economy. For answers to questions or for additional information about promotional products or PPAI, contact PPAI at 972-258-3041, e-mail to BillP@ppa.org, or visit the PPAI Web site (http://www.ppa.org/MediaInformation/ ) for detailed statistics, research and case studies about the power of promotional products. ------ PPAI -- the promotional product industry's only international nonprofit trade association-offers education, technology, trade shows and legislative support to its more than 7,000 global members. PPAI created and maintains the UPIC (Universal Promotional Identification Code), the industry's only free identification system and universal company database. In 2003, PPAI celebrated 100 years of service to the promotional products industry and is one of the oldest trade associations in the United States. |