ASI’s editorial team steps into the time machine to discuss the growing demand for ‘90s fashion, ‘80s movies and other products from yesteryear in this groovy edition of the Promo Insiders podcast.

Podcast Chapters
0:56: Is nostalgia simply a retail trend?
6:21: Why is nostalgia so popular right now?
9:43: The value of looking to the past
11:20: Rise in licensing
15:45: Opportunities for distributors
16:57: Targeting the right market
18:58: Our favorite nostalgia products
22:21: Tips to capitalize on the growing demand

Dust off your tie-die and slide on your scrunchy because Promo Insiders is taking a stroll down memory lane.

Nostalgia is at an all-time high when it comes to consumer goods. Fashion trends from yesteryear like fanny packs and jelly shoes have been pulled out of the closet. Streaming services have relied upon revivals and spinoffs of old TV shows like Full House, Lizzie McGuire and The Twilight Zone to stock up on content. Go to a movie theater and most of the films showing are remakes or reboots. Even McDonald’s has re-released some of its most popular Happy Meal toys.

To promote the final season of Mad Men, Axis Promotions (asi/128263) designed a branded turntable that was given out during the upfronts.

Although the promotional products industry used to be notorious for lagging behind retail trends, that’s no longer the case. As high-profile store closures continue to mount, influential consumer brands like Under Armour, North Face and Herschel have come to promo seeking opportunity. Suppliers have R&D teams that predict and get in front of retail trends, working with advanced supply chains to produce retail-grade items that are current and desirable.

As retail trends indicate, it’s only a matter of time before the growing demand for nostalgia flows into promo.

Rewinding the clock 20 years...#Dumbgood has revived Blockbuster for a weeklong pop-up shop in NYC. Branded merch galore! pic.twitter.com/yOFyxiIJpK

— John Corrigan (@Notready4Radio) December 12, 2019

In this podcast, ASI’s editorial team members John Corrigan, Sara Lavenduski and Theresa Hegel share their favorite products from yesteryear and examine why nostalgia is so hot right now. They also offer tips and opportunities for distributors to capitalize on the growing demand.

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