Research for Promotional Products Week shows that that 3 in 10 of us have purposely changed our regular brand in order to receive a freebie. The survey of 1000 people, nearly half of consumers (48 per cent) would switch their brand for cooking accessories, while nearly 42 per cent would switch for a coffee mug. Other items that can persuade consumers to change brand include fizzy drink branded glasses (39 per cent), a cuddly toy, such as the puppy associated with a well-known toilet roll brand (34 per cent), the Meerkat toy (34 per cent), a cosmetic purse or tote bag (30 per cent) and the Monkey toy associated with a familiar tea brand (28 per cent). Men are most likely to switch their brand for a coffee mug, while women would switch their brand for cooking accessories.
Drinking glasses are a popular freebie with men, with two-fifths using devious means to secure one, while a quarter of women have been deceitful to bag a free soft toy.
The places where consumers have or expect to pick up promotional products was highlighted with 80 per cent stating they would at exhibitions, three-fifths (60 per cent) at roadshows, 49 per cent in hotel rooms, 38 per cent in banks, 32 per cent in hotel receptions and 31 per cent at car dealers or garages.
Perhaps more surprisingly, the study also showed that we are not embarrassed to pass on freebies, with 1 in 10 saying that would give a freebie as a gift to a friend or family member.
In the current economic difficulties nearly three-fifths of us are more likely to keep freebies than before the recession. ‘Usefulness’ is cited by three-fifths of consumers as the reason that they keep freebies.
Among the oddest products received are a gold plated toothbrush, complete with furry holder, a bottom-shaped stress ball, and a toilet roll with the word ‘kiss’ written in red all over it. At the other end of the spectrum, some of the most luxurious products given away include personalised bathrobes, electric toothbrushes, high-end watches and pens and indulgent toiletries.
Of the promotional products that consumers have and use 62 per cent stated they have a pen, 35 per cent a mug, 33 per cent a keyring, 25 per cent a t-shirt or sweatshirt and 25 per cent a drinking glass, with other items of merchandise kept and used including USB sticks, bags, caps, notepads, umbrellas, scales, shoe horns and shopping trolley coins.
The survey was commissioned by the bpma, a UK wide study was conducted online among 1000 adults randomly selected to be representative of the UK population. Students and people under 18 were excluded.
Of the 1000 responses received there were 579 female respondents and 421 male respondents.