T-Shirts are once again tops, but there are other notable shifts worth mentioning. Here are top takeaways regarding leading promo product categories in the promo industry.
Drinkware declined for the second consecutive year and reached its lowest percentage of industry sales since 2020, suggesting the category’s Stanley-fueled boom is cooling.
Writing Instruments declined by 1.3 percentage points, reversing four consecutive years of gains.
Packaging – a prime focus of distributors thanks to the decade’s surge of kitting and fulfillment – is a new category added for this year’s survey.
Housewares/Tools (+0.7 percentage points) and Blankets/Towels (+0.4 percentage points) both gained market share in 2025, reflecting growing product varieties in the categories and buyers’ continued interest in practical, lifestyle-oriented items.
Top Markets for Promo Products Sales in 2025
(As Percentage of Overall Promo Products Sales)
(Dollar amount in millions)