Hong Kong is a world-renowned sourcing centre for giftware. A wide spectrum of gift items can be sourced here, ranging from basic products to sophisticated, high-value merchandise. Hong Kong exporters are sensitive to changing market needs, and are known for their product quality and their high levels of compliance with product safety and environmental regulations and standards.

Pantone Color Institute crowns carmine contender as 2023’s defining new hue at the recently concluded Winter Edition of the Las Vegas Market.

With AWOL attendees back and expanded exhibitor numbers, the Las Vegas Market seemed to have regained its pre-pandemic mojo.

The promotional-products sector is once again booming in the US, at least according to showgoers at the Las Vegas PPAI Expo. Demand is high, as the US economy puts Covid-19 in the rear-view mirror, while customers re-set their expectations and accept supply chain limitations.

While a post-pandemic boom in home remodelling saw buyers flock to the rebooted expo, there were signs that robust demand coupled with weak supply was leading to sustained upward price pressure, triggering growing interest in the second-hand and refurbished goods sector.

Sold-out show stands at Las Vegas event indicate a widespread intent on the part of retail buyers to avoid empty shelves in the Christmas rush, with supply chain disruptions the talk of the show and some exhibitors limiting order sizes due to shortages, while expecting price increases.

The easing of Covid restrictions helped the Summer 2021 Las Vegas Market get back to its best, while even the still-obligatory masks didn't put a dampener on the surge in interest in household furnishings and leisurewear, while the anticipation of a vibrant Christmas was all but palpable.

Restored to its in-person format if not its usual timeslot, North America’s leading furniture, gift and home-decor event boasted impressive attendance levels, while business was brisk with regard to alfresco equipment, home-improvement items and fun-themed novelty products.

With social distancing a priority and face masks / sanitiser provided to every attendee, the summer edition of the Las Vegas Market was seen as piloting the way for a return to live events in the US, but did the organiser do enough to convince would-be visitors it was wise to participate?

This year's PPAI, North America's largest trade event for the promotional products industry, showed an innovation-hungry sector that was in rude health, with reported growth last year well in excess of that for the US economy overall.