Over the last couple of years, the huge dark cloud of the economic recession has loomed over the promotional products industry. Sales plummeted and both large and small distributors questioned what might happen to the industry if things did not improve soon.
Now, finally, things are starting to look up! According to the 2010 Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Sales Volume Study, overall distributor sales have increased 5.9 percent over 2009. Large-company distributors have seen a 2.9 percent increase in sales over 2009 and small-company distributors came in with an even more promising 8.9 percent gain over 2009 sales. Additionally, the small distributor sales mean increased from $367,777 in 2009 to $407,114 in 2010, which further bolsters our confidence in the future of the promotional products industry.
Ad media sales, like promotional product sales, have also seen an auspicious increase in their numbers. Ad spending was up 6.5 percent in 2010 despite the fact that television audiences have been decreasing. This increase can partly, but not wholly, be attributed to the 2010 elections. Also, for the first time, internet succeeded print and newspaper advertising.
Distributors and advertisers alike are even more optimistic for sales numbers in 2011 and report an overwhelming confidence in revenue despite the 17.4 percent loss since 2008. The 2010 PPAI study also features some distributors' company's and highlights their thoughts about their outlook for the 2011.
We definitely believe in the optimistic veiw that the 2008 economic recession is hopefully coming to an end. And like
Conrad Franey, of GatewayCDI, "It's fun to be in business again."
