Editor’s Note: Since 1965, PPAI’s U.S. Distributor Sales Volume Estimate has been the most trusted, directionally accurate measure of the size of the U.S. promotional products market and trends in the industry. Selected charts displayed in this article are taken from the full report, available to professional members through PPAI’s Premium Research. Data was compiled with the help of independent research partner MyImaginity. Promo channel sales reached $27.1 billion last year, according to PPAI’s just-released 2025 U.S. Distributor Sales Volume Estimate. By these metrics, it’s the first time the promotional products industry can account for north of $27 billion in sales, a number that has grown steadily in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that landmark is more of a silver lining in a report that reveals mostly slowed growth in the promo market. The $27.1 billion number represents a growth of 1.3% over the previous year, which is a slower pace than the rate promo was growing in the years prior. • Tariff volatility, rising costs of compliance and freight, as well as tighter client budgets and compressed margins all made 2025 a difficult year for sales, likely contributing to modest growth. • Worryingly, the 1.3% growth rate lags significantly behind the 2025 inflation rate, according to the Consumer Price Index. PPAI Sales Volume Estimate: Promo Reaches New Height But Hampered By External Volatility The annual report reveals industry insights concerning company size, sustainability, AI, retail brands, online sales and distributors using suppliers outside the industry. By Jonny Auping Ljupco Smokovski / Sergey-Nivens / Sanit Fuangnakhon / Shutterstock.com PPAI • MARCH 2026 • 35 PPAI Sales Volume | Must Read
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