Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) hasn’t increased in the promotional products industry, according to new exclusive data from ASI.

For the second straight month, face mask, mugs and mask occupied the top three search terms in ESP, ASI’s database of products from around the promo industry. The only other PPE term in the top 10 was hand sanitizer, which dropped from seventh to eighth place. Meanwhile, industry staples like pens and blankets rounded out the top five.

“While there is no doubt that 2020 will be remembered as the year of PPE in promo, as the year is coming to a close, the importance of tried and true promotional products is being reasserted,” said Nathaniel Kucsma, ASI’s executive director of research and corporate marketing.

Despite the challenges and limitations caused by the coronavirus, the industry is hoping for a somewhat normal Q4, historically the busiest time of the year for many promo firms. The end of 2020 looks promising, according to the data. With winter quickly approaching, searches for Sherpa blanket rose 131%. And with the holidays around the corner, searches for Santa hat, executive gifts, gift baskets and tissue paper were up 72%, 61%, 57% and 56%, respectively.

As of November, face mask, hand sanitizer and pens are the most-searched terms in ESP for 2020. In fact, three of the year’s top 10 search terms relate to face coverings – face mask, mask and neck gaiter.

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