Sustainability conversations often centre on overconsumption. We talk about buying less, owning less and producing less. And while consumption patterns matter, focusing solely on behaviour misses something more fundamental: design. Products don’t accidentally become disposable. They are designed that way. The overproduction problem isn’t just about fashion In the fashion industry, the consequences of design decisions are becoming increasingly visible. The mass production of c

For many organisations, promotional merchandise sits in a modest budget category. It’s often event-driven, campaign-specific, and price-sensitive. That’s understandable. But treating merchandise as a short-term, lowest-cost purchase can create long-term inefficiencies - both financially and reputationally. From an industry perspective, I’ve observed a clear pattern: the cheapest unit price rarely delivers the strongest value. The Unit Price Trap Traditional procurement compar

I’ve spent the past seven years in the promotional products industry. In that time, I’ve seen a significant shift - not just in product trends, but in buyer expectations, procurement policies, and the broader conversation around sustainability. Promotional merchandise isn’t disappearing. In fact, in many sectors it’s growing. But what is changing is what  people are buying, why they’re buying it, and how   those decisions are being evaluated. Here’s what I’m seeing from insid