The research

Why promotional products work — the figures, by product type

Every number on this page comes from the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) Global Advertising Impressions Study, 2026/2027 edition (released 8 May 2026; US-consumer findings; the study surveyed close to 5,000 consumers across the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe). We read the study's own tables rather than a summary, kept the figures exactly as published, and left out the ones the study prints inconsistently. Where Sense2 sells a product type the study measured, the same figures appear on that category page.

Method, in the study's words: Online consumer surveys; lifetime impressions = average time kept × frequency of use × people encountered while using it. Source: ASI Global Advertising Impressions Study, 2026/2027 edition (US consumers) · Compiled by Sense2 · checked 23 September 2026.

Across all promotional products

A promotional product generates 3,300 impressions on average over its lifetime.
76% of consumers say they would be more likely to do business with an advertiser after receiving a promotional item.
78% would have a more favourable view of the advertiser.
75% of US consumers hold a positive opinion of promotional products — a higher share than for TV, internet, mobile or social-media advertising.
78% keep a promotional item because it is useful — usefulness beats looks, brand and novelty as the reason an item stays.
74% would view an advertiser more favourably specifically after receiving a sustainable promotional item.

Promotional promotional bags

Promotional bags generate 4,900 impressions over their lifetime — the second-highest of any product category in the study.
84% of consumers would keep a promotional bag for at least one year.
92% would use a promotional bag at least once a month.
77% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser who gave them the bag.
88% would keep it because it is useful to have.

Applies to 41 Sense2 categories: Bags, Eco-Friendly Bags, Tote Bags, Gift Bags, Cooler Bags, Corporate Backpacks, Canvas Tote Bags, Laptop Bags and 33 more.

Promotional promotional pens

Promotional writing instruments generate 1,900 impressions over their lifetime.
64% of consumers would use a promotional pen daily.
84% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser after receiving one.
77% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser.
88% would keep it because it is useful.

Applies to 34 Sense2 categories: Pens, Metal Pens, Eco Friendly Pens, Conference Pens, Plastic Pens, Pencils, Eco Pens & Stationery, Cheap Pens and 26 more.

Promotional promotional drinkware

Promotional drinkware generates 1,300 impressions over its lifetime.
80% of consumers would keep promotional drinkware for more than a year.
77% would use it at least once a week.
80% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser.
87% would keep it because it is useful.

Applies to 52 Sense2 categories: Premium Drinkware, Mugs, Drink Bottles, Drinkware, Insulated Water Bottles, Glassware, Reusable Coffee Cups, Stainless Steel Water Bottles and 44 more.

Promotional promotional headwear

Promotional headwear generates 4,000 impressions over its lifetime.
64% of consumers would keep a promotional cap or hat for at least a year.
60% would wear it at least once a week.
72% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser.

Applies to 12 Sense2 categories: Caps & Hats, Branded Hats, Baseball Caps, Event Hats, Sun Hats, Bucket Hats, Beanies, School Hats and 4 more.

Promotional promotional T-shirts

Promotional T-shirts generate 3,500 impressions over their lifetime.
55% of consumers named T-shirts among the promotional products they would be most excited to receive — the highest share of any category (multiple answers allowed).
80% would keep a promotional T-shirt for at least a year.
90% would wear it at least once a month.

Applies to 3 Sense2 categories: T-Shirts, American Apparel Branded T-Shirts & Apparel, T-Shirts.

Promotional promotional polos

Promotional polo shirts generate 2,900 impressions over their lifetime.
73% of consumers would keep a promotional polo for at least a year.
80% would wear it at least once a month.
67% would keep it because it is attractive — the highest 'attractive' score of any category.

Applies to 2 Sense2 categories: Corporate Polo Shirts, Polo Shirts.

Promotional promotional jackets and fleece

Promotional fleece and jackets generate 9,000 impressions over their lifetime — more than any other product category.
87% of consumers would keep a promotional fleece or jacket for more than a year.
78% would wear it at least once a week.
85% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser.

Applies to 3 Sense2 categories: Jackets, Hoodies, Sweatshirts & Crewnecks.

Promotional promotional umbrellas

Promotional umbrellas generate 2,300 impressions over their lifetime.
More than half of consumers would keep a promotional umbrella for at least five years.
94% would use a promotional umbrella at least once a month.
76% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser.

Applies to 7 Sense2 categories: Umbrellas, Compact Umbrellas, Golf Umbrellas, Blunt Umbrellas, Peros Corporate Umbrellas, Beach Umbrellas, Clear Umbrellas.

Promotional promotional calendars

Promotional calendars generate 550 impressions over their lifetime.
76% of consumers would refer to a promotional calendar at least once a week.
71% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser.

Applies to 1 Sense2 category: Calendars.

Promotional promotional power banks

Promotional power banks generate 1,800 impressions over their lifetime.
85% of consumers would keep a promotional power bank for at least a year.
77% would use it at least once a week.
85% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser; 89% would keep it because it is useful.

Applies to 2 Sense2 categories: Power Banks, Keyrings With Power Banks.

Promotional promotional USB drives

Nearly half of consumers would keep a promotional USB drive for at least five years.
85% would use it at least once a month.
71% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser; 89% would keep it because it is useful.

Applies to 10 Sense2 categories: USB Drives, USB Flash Drives, Promotional Flash Drives, Standard USB Drives, Shaped USB Sticks, OTG Flash Drives, Light Up LED USB Sticks, USB Flash Drives and 2 more.

Promotional promotional notebooks

Promotional notebooks generate 500 impressions over their lifetime.
75% of consumers would use a promotional notebook at least once a week.
79% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser; 86% would keep it because it is useful.

Applies to 19 Sense2 categories: Notebooks Australia, A5 Notebooks, Notebooks, Sticky Note Pads, Recycled Notebooks, Sticky Notes, Mail Out Notepads, Recycled Notepads and 11 more.

Promotional promotional desk accessories

Promotional desk and office accessories generate 1,200 impressions over their lifetime.
77% of consumers would keep a promotional desk accessory for at least a year.
74% would use it at least once a week.
83% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser — the fourth-highest of any category.

Applies to 28 Sense2 categories: Corporate Office Merchandise, Branded Stationery, Student Stationery, Executive Desk Accessories, Desk Accessories, Memo Pads, Fast Office Gifts, Conference Stationery and 20 more.

Promotional promotional lanyards, buttons and stickers

Promotional buttons, lanyards and stickers generate 600 impressions over their lifetime.
84% of consumers would wear one at least once a month.
62% would keep it for at least a year.
74% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser.

Applies to 17 Sense2 categories: Stickers, Mail Out Tattoos & Stickers, Badges, Lanyards, Lanyards & Badges, Name Badges, Button Badges, Bumper Stickers and 9 more.

Promotional promotional blankets

88% of consumers would have a more favourable impression of an advertiser who gave them a promotional blanket.
87% would be more likely to do business with them.
95% would use it at least once a month; half would keep it for more than five years.

Applies to 3 Sense2 categories: Picnic Blankets, Blankets, Travel Blankets.

Promotional promotional food gifts

94% of consumers would have a more favourable impression of an advertiser after receiving a promotional food gift — the highest of any category.
92% would be more likely to do business with them — again the highest of any category.
72% would keep and consume a food gift because it is enjoyable — higher than any other product category.

Applies to 34 Sense2 categories: Hospitality, Food & Beverage Corporate Gifts, Lollies, Corporate Hampers, Chocolate, Brand Name Confectionery, Jellys, Lolly Boxes, Jelly Beans and 26 more.

Promotional promotional health & safety products

86% of consumers would have a more favourable impression of an advertiser after receiving a promotional health & safety product.
82% would be more likely to do business with them.
88% would keep it because it is useful; 66% would use it at least once a week.

Applies to 16 Sense2 categories: Fitness & Health Corporate Gifts, Health & Wellbeing Merchandise, Beauty & Wellness Gifts, Fitness & Health Gear, Safety Gear, Emergency First Aid Kits, Antibacterial Items, Hand Sanitiser and 8 more.

Promotional promotional housewares and tools

91% of consumers would keep a promotional houseware item because it is useful — more than any other product category.
80% would use it at least once a week; nearly half would keep it for more than five years.
81% would have a more favourable impression of the advertiser and 79% would be more likely to do business with them.

Applies to 34 Sense2 categories: Kitchen Accessories, Picnic Gifts, Lifestyle and Homeware Gifts, Homeware, Kitchen Tools & Utensils, Lunch Boxes, Bottle Openers, Tool Kits and 26 more.

Promotional promotional magnets

67% of consumers would keep a promotional magnet for at least a year.
51% would keep it as a reference for contact information — the highest 'keep for your details' score of any category.
63% would be more likely to do business with the advertiser.

Applies to 8 Sense2 categories: Magnets, Flat Magnets, Business Card Magnets, Rubber Magnets, Lenticular Magnets, Epoxy Magnets, Acrylic Magnets, Liquid Filled Magnets.