One industry that shows no signs of slowing down any time soon is the hospitality industry. From restaurants and bars to hotels, this sector continues to go from strength to strength following a difficult period as a result of the global lockdowns we experienced in 2020.
Hospitality is the third largest employer in the UK and has shown faster economic growth than any other sector. This means that more and more entrepreneurs are seeing an opportunity to make money in hospitality, leading to increased competition across the market.
According to UKHospitality, the hospitality industry employs 3.5 million people, making it the third largest employer in the UK. The sector contributes £93 billion annually to the economy and has shown significant growth, outpacing other sectors. The industry's economic contribution increased by £20 billion over the past six years, demonstrating its rapid expansion and resilience.
When a market becomes saturated, as we are witnessing with hospitality, the most effective way to stand out is to be creative, unique and authentic in your approach to marketing. Promotional products offer an avenue to do just that so your hospitality business can continue to thrive even when competition is high.
Promotional merchandise, such as branded clothing and custom-printed accessories, can be used by businesses within hospitality in many different ways all to serve as an effective marketing tool.
If you are opening a new location and want to raise awareness and build excitement that will bring customers through the door, printed products are a cost-effective way of reaching the local community.
Then, once you get people into the bar, hotel or restaurant, promotional items lead to growth in another marketing channel known as referrals or recommendations. When a customer has a great experience at your establishment, they are inclined to let their friends, family or colleagues know about it, which results in more customers. This word-of-mouth marketing can be boosted even further by offering a free printed t-shirt, for example, to customers who leave a good review or recommend a friend.
Not to mention, gifting visitors or guests with a branded item can commemorate their experience and foster a sense of community. People feel special and appreciated when they receive a free promotional product, and it strengthens their memory of your business. Great examples would be promotional wine coolers and after-dinner custom confectionery, such as a printed mint tin.
Once they leave and time passes, the promotional product will constantly remind them of their visit, compelling them to come back or, once again, acting as an ongoing advertisement to all those who see it.
Branded merchandise doesn’t have to be a gift to customers. It can also be used for internal purposes, such as staff uniforms or venue-printed stationery, adding a thoughtful touch to the customer experience. These small details, which can be overlooked by some, are what take a hospitality business from good to excellent and leave a lasting impression that overshadows the competition.
Custom-branded staff clothing is essential for hospitality businesses that want to present themselves as professional, established, and competent.
Firstly, a branded uniform is helpful for multiple people. It enables guests to easily identify staff as soon as they enter your building which makes for a more pleasant and easy experience.
It also goes a long way towards boosting team morale because employees will instantly feel more connected to one another and your business.
For a venue, a uniform eliminates visual hierarchies and creates a level playing field, which helps build a positive and inclusive work environment. venue printed t-shirts or staff polo shirts and custom bar aprons remain our best sellers.
But, even more importantly, branded clothing for employees creates a professional front-of-house image and strengthens brand identity. Displaying your business name or logo on staff clothing will make it visible to everyone in the building at all times. This incessant reminder will help customers remember your brand long after they leave.
One of the biggest challenges for any business is successfully leaving a lasting impression on customers. We live in such a fast-paced society that we move on to the next thing with speed and little hesitation, so as soon as your patrons have stepped foot outside of your establishment, it is only a matter of minutes before their experience becomes a distant, possibly forgotten memory.
The little details often have the biggest impact. A printed wine or custom pint glass at your bar or custom napkins at your restaurant can be creatively designed to reinforce your brand to everyone who visits.
A step further could be to offer branded mints or printed chocolates to guests after their meal. It’s not common practice so it will certainly help you stand out and create a positive memory that guests will forever associate with your business.
You can consider many more options, including custom bar runners, printed coasters or printed cocktail stirrers, custom wine coolers, or printed bathroom accessories such as embroidered hand towels and printed soaps.
As with all marketing activities for your business, the end goal should be to increase custom and promotional giveaways, which are great at achieving this.
For example, if you are hosting a celebration at your restaurant or a sports event at your bar, you could host a volume giveaway of branded items, like promotional keyrings and printed caps or branded jute bags for higher-end venues. The giveaway can incentivise people to attend or spend more money by offering merchandise items to those who spend over a certain amount.
An effective idea for hotels is to welcome guests with promotional giveaways, such as custom toiletry gift bags, embroidered hotel slippers, complimentary shampoos and body washes.
This small gesture can make a huge impact and lead to positive reviews, personal recommendations and a second visit.
We offer various unique promotional items and custom clothing designed to meet your specific needs. With a strong focus on product quality and customer support, we provide innovative products that help your brand stand out.
Our extensive collection includes eco-friendly options, large ranges of custom clothing, and trending promotional giveaways, ensuring a perfect match for any event or promotional campaign.
Our company's commitment to sustainability and creative merchandise solutions guarantees that your venue will leave a lasting impression.
Tel:01895 438459
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Merchandise Ltd - Unit 9 Adler Industrial Estate, Betam Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 1S