Now that the post-Independence Day summer season has begun, it’s time for distributors to finalize late summer/early fall orders and get the ball rolling on Q4 gifting.

That’s the conclusion from ASI Media Editors Theresa Hegel and Sara Lavenduski and Interns Finn Hogan and Hannah Rosenberger, who recently joined the podcast to discuss upcoming sales opportunities and taste-test fun treats, like strawberry ice cream cone-flavored Hershey’s Kisses and shrimp-flavored crisps.

“I would be thinking about family weekends at colleges and universities,” says Rosenberger. “Those can be anywhere from the end of September to the beginning of November, so it’s that window before we get into the holiday season. When parents are on campus, they’re buying their children merchandise.”

Hogan advises distributors to consider simple designs on plain cotton T-shirts to accompany more complex fabric constructions and imprints. “I’ve done a lot of merch-watching recently,” he says. “At a Trenton Thunder game, all I wanted was a gray T-shirt with ‘Trenton Thunder’ on it. They had none. No shirts just had a simple logo and plain text for a vintage, varsity look, which can work in a lot of different places. Don’t overthink it – always have a simple option.”

And while it’s still hot and muggy out, Q4 isn’t far away, says Hegel. Distributors would do well to start pitching gifts to end-buyers over the next few weeks. “Comfort is still huge,” she says. “It was big during COVID and hasn’t gone away. People want things that comfort them and make them feel appreciated – lean into that.”