The Redbows Promotional Gifts Blog

Well after much work we have almost finished the revamp of our primary Promotional Gifts website. Unlike the Promotional Gifts Store which features numerous product collections and thousands of promotional goods, we wanted the Redbows website to go back to its roots. We wanted to provide a source of the cheapest promotional gifts available and those considered essential for most marketing and promotions managers. Hence the new name for the Redbows website – the Essential Gifts Store. What we have done is made the website display our lowest cost and most popular promotional gifts including pens, mugs, mousemats and many others. We have also added seasonal best sellers such as our chocolate advent calendars. We will add more collections and promotional merchandise to this website over time and see how effective this latest approach is to serving our clients.

How often do we act global but go local? The internet provides everyone with a global information search facility but how often do we then search out a local supplier? The point is we like (and possibly still want) local service and that personal touch when it comes to even commodity purchases. This was all brought home to me the other evening whilst watching Pretty Woman. Remember the scene when she fails to get service in a high class boutique, then returns the next day saying ‘you work on commission right? Big mistake, big, huge….sorry I have to go now, I’ve got shopping to do.’ So what has this got to do with promotional gifts? Well people still buy from people. When it comes to promotional gifts it does not matter how much we automate the quotation and buying process. People like to speak to a professional gifts consultant and make sure that they are going to get the service they want, with a dedicated project manager looking after their every need and making sure their promotional products arrive to time, and as intended. Part of the issue for a company like Redbows is the size of the ranges we supply. Take our pens, coasters and mousemats. Your’re talking 1000 plus products, all within a similar price range, with similar specifications. This can be daunting for a client and the main reason why they want to talk to someone who knows the ranges inside out and can guide them to the right product for their need and budget. I am pretty sure other industries are very much the same. Yes, we are turning into a world that will purchase on-line without seeing a physical product or sales person but for some products and merchandise I can see full automation will be a way off, if ever.

Yesterday being Father’s Day I was wondering if we should have an International Promotional Gifts Day? Why you may ask? Well there are two aspects to consider. Firstly, days such as these are intended to recognise the unsung heros and take the time out to reward and recognise them. If you consider staple promotional items like pens, mugs and mousemats then all too often they can become the unsung heros. Part of the issue is that they play their roles well but at a subconscious level, reinforcing brand names and marketing messages whilst providing a more explicit function. Secondly, ‘promotional gifts’ are international by their very nature and are part of a global supply chain. There are very few promotional items these days that are soley sourced (components and materials), manufactured and supplied within a single country, without crossing international boders and supply chains. Just a quick afternoon thought….whilst washing the lunchtime dishes with the males in my house enjoying a snooze and the British Grand Prix.