Product Hub CANADIAN NEWS October 23, 2024
‘Halloween,’ ‘Pens’ and Retail Brands Come Out on Top in Canadians’ Q3 ESP Searches
Seasonal items, school essentials and premium products were among the most-looked-for categories among distributors.
Key Takeaways
• Classic Items Reign Supreme: In Q3 2024, the most searched items by Canadian distributors were traditional promotional products like “pens,” “lanyards,” and “water bottles,” reflecting preparations for the new school year and upcoming events.
• Seasonal & Trendy Rose Up the Ranks: Searches for “Halloween” surged in September, while queries for “Squishmallow” plush and “BruMate” drinkware saw significant increases.
• Premium Products Remain Hot: High-end, premium merchandise, including drinkware, coolers and tech accessories, is expected to remain popular through the holiday season and into early 2025.
Canadian distributors’ ESP searches in Q3 show end-buyers asked for traditional items ahead of the busy fourth quarter of 2024 and first quarter of 2025, along with seasonal favorites and trendy retail products.
New data from ASI Research indicates that “pens,” “lanyard” and “water bottle” were the top three searched terms in the third quarter in anticipation of the new school year and Q1 events.
Other top 10 terms included “pencils” at number four and “drawstring bag” at number 10. While “pens” were the top product in July and August, “Halloween” took the top spot in September.
“In a lot of ways, demand in Canada’s promo market mirrors that in the U.S., with ‘pens’ steadily in the top spot and other mainstays, like ‘water bottles’ and ‘keychains,’ also sticking around in the top 10,” says Hannah Rosenberger, data analytics editor for ASI Media. “Meanwhile, ‘Halloween’ and ‘drawstring bag’ snuck into Q3’s top searches as the back-to-school and spooky seasons approached.”
In September, the top three terms were “Halloween,” “lanyard” and “Made in Canada,” signaling continued demand among end-buyers for domestically made products. “Squishmallow,” a popular retail brand of plush characters, came in at number six.
Among the top 200 terms: Queries for “hockey” increased 243% between Q2 and Q3, ahead of the colder months. Year over year, searches for “luggage tags” fell nearly 5%, while “nonwoven tote bags” rose 1,583% and retail drinkware brand “BruMate” increased 262%.
Searches for “BruMate” increased
262%
compared to Q3 2023.(ASI Research)
Sergio Munoz, vice president of sales and marketing at Add Impact (asi/106606) in Woodbridge, ON, says demand for premium products has continued, with premium drinkware and coolers from Chilly Moose and bags from Bugatti Group (asi/42418) remaining especially popular. End-buyers also want premium wireless chargers, headphones and other tech accessories.
“These items have really captured our customers’ attention,” he says. “We’re hoping the trend toward high-end, premium merchandise continues into November and December as clients begin finalizing their holiday orders.”
Searches for “nonwoven tote bags” increased
1,583%
compared to Q3 2023.(ASI Research)
Looking ahead to the end of the year – in Q4 2023, the top 10 most-searched products for early 2024 campaigns included stalwarts like “pens,” “water bottle” and “totes,” along with “travel mug,” “notebook” and “scarf.”
Product Hub
Find the latest in quality products, must-know trends and fresh ideas for upcoming end-buyer campaigns.