Last week, our team attended Merchandise World in Coventry, an industry-leading event showcasing the latest developments in promotional products, merchandise and branded solutions for clients. The event provided a valuable opportunity to explore new product innovations, identify emerging trends and engage with a wide range of suppliers from across the sector.
The day started early with a 6:30am flight from Edinburgh to Birmingham, but things quickly improved once we landed. We were chauffeur-driven to the venue, around 25 minutes away, by Duane, complete with an unexpected upgrade to a very fancy Mercedes. It was a nice surprise and a great way to kick off the day. The journey home was just as smooth, with no delays and another comfortable drive back, thanks again to Duane (whose driving definitely lived up to expectations).
Inside the show, there was no shortage of interesting products, but a few really stood out. The Cupples 2-in-1 bottle and coffee cup caught our attention straight away. It felt like something genuinely new within drinkware and is exactly the kind of practical, eye-catching product that works well as a promotional item. We also really liked the Black & Blum cooler bag, which felt well made and stylish, and would work perfectly as a corporate gift, especially for summer campaigns.
One thing that was very noticeable across the event was the rise in multifunctional products. Items that serve more than one purpose, like the Cupples bottle, were everywhere and clearly designed to solve everyday problems. There was also a big increase in smart and tech-enabled products, particularly those focused on tracking and connectivity, which feel set to be especially popular this year.
Sustainability was another strong theme running throughout the show. Many products featured recycled or repurposed materials, particularly in the tech and drinkware categories. What stood out most was the innovative way some suppliers are using waste materials and turning them into finished products that still feel premium and well designed.
A real highlight in this area was Gomi Design, a small Brighton-based company doing something genuinely different. They use waste materials to create branded electronics such as power banks, tracker tags and wireless chargers, and their approach felt refreshingly innovative rather than simply ticking a sustainability box.
There were plenty of other interesting stands worth mentioning too, including XD, who showcased some impressive tech products. Their tagged items were especially appealing and are the kind of products you can imagine quickly becoming part of everyday life.
Overall, Merchandise World was a really worthwhile event and gave us plenty of ideas to take forward. It was great to see so much innovation across products, materials and technology, and we’re excited to explore how these insights can be reflected in future campaigns and product selections.
