A majority of suppliers and distributors responding to PPAI’s recent Q2 Quarterly Industry Sales Barometer reported sales have increased in Q2 2021 compared to Q1 2021. The quarterly survey, which was first launched last year, asked supplier and distributor member companies about their sales year to year and quarter to quarter, along with expectations for Q3 2021. The survey also asked about staffing and other issues pertinent to promo industry businesses as they continue to ramp up their operations post-pandemic.

For distributors, key highlights of the sales survey include:

  • 52.1% of distributors reported an increase in sales in Q2 2021 over Q1 2021; 24.6% reported no change in sales that quarter
  • 65% percent reported an increase in sales in Q2 2021 over Q2 2020; 19% experienced an increase of 20% or more in sales in that period, and 17% saw sales increase 40% or more
  • 29.2% plan for employees to return to the office, 16.2% plan for employees to remain working remote, 13% plan to implement a hybrid work environment policy, and 6.2% are undecided
  • 12.3% said they were less confident in their business’s future viability in Q2 2021
  • 66.9% are now meeting customers/salespeople in person
  • 36.2% said none of their sales were in decorated PPE in Q2 2021
  • 63.8% said none of their sales were in blank PPE in Q2 2021

For suppliers, key highlights include:

  • 61.7% reported an increase in sales in Q2 2021 over Q1 2021; 24.1% reported no change in sales in that quarter
  • 75.7% reported an increase in sales in Q2 2021 over Q2 2020
  • 58.6% plan for employees to return to the office and 20.7% plan to implement a hybrid work environment policy
  • 20.8% said they were less confident in their business’s future viability during Q2 2021
  • 48.3% are now meeting distributors in person
  • 82.8% said none of their sales were in decorated PPE in Q2 2021
  • 89.7% said none of their sales were in blank PPE in Q2 2021

The full report is available to PPAI members here. A member login is required.