With virus uncertainty continuing and staff shortages causing hotels and restaurants to cut hours or even close, those who are booking trips are headed to the outdoors in socially distanced settings during the fall and upcoming winter months. That’s leading to woodsy trends in the promo industry as people continue to maintain their remote offices and put off overseas trips, according to travel agents.

In a recent ASI Media trends report on the state of the travel industry, Dr. Jan Louise Jones, professor of Hospitality and Tourism at the Pompea College of Business at the University of New Haven in Connecticut, said that Airbnbs are popular for regional trips (reservations are up 40% from before the pandemic) and ski resorts are already busy for this winter. Stowe, VT, one of the country’s premier ski destinations, reports that hotel bookings are already 6% higher than they were a year ago.

Meanwhile, style design firms like Desenio invite people to bring the forest inside with woods- and flora-inspired home décor that calms the nerves and soothes anxiety as fallout from the pandemic continues across the globe.

Recent demand in promo has shown that consumers are looking for comfy clothes that work in remote offices, in the ski lodge or at the campsite. Meg Erber, a sales leader at Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358), says oversized fleece is popular for the high school/collegiate market and continued remote work. Bold patterns, such as buffalo plaid, tie-dye, chevrons and stripes, are gaining steam, and consumers want layering options, such as a puffer or quilted vest over a quarter-zip or woven.

“In the Northeast, our mornings are brisk, followed by warm afternoons,” says Erber. “With volatile temperature changes, a vest offers active insulation, as well as breathable fill and a sleeveless fit.”

The women’s Vintage Diamond Quilted Vest (W207359) from S&S Activewear comes in five neutral colors.

At the recent Impressions Expo Atlantic City, these trends were on full display. “It’s been wild,” David Cunningham, account manager at Dyenomite Apparel (asi/51185), told ASI Media’s Theresa Hegel about the popularity of tie-dye, perfect for promoting ski resorts and campgrounds. “We’ve had to increase our capacity.”

Tie-dye is flying off Dyenomite’s shelves.

Suppliers now also offer hard goods with natural accents, like the Treez stainless steel tumbler with wood lid (WB9811) from Top 40 supplier Sweda Company (asi/90305). Top 40 supplier PCNA (asi/78897) has also expanded its collection of “cozy” houseware items that evoke the great outdoors, such as the National Park Collection of candles from Good & Well Supply Co., grow kits from Sprigbox and bamboo fiber food containers from Ekobo.

The Zion Natural Park Candle (6000-06) from PCNA, part of the National Park Collection from Good & Well Supply Co., is ethically sourced and produced.

“People are spending more time at home and lots of companies are letting employees continue to work remotely, so gifts that spruce up the home are in high demand,” said Liz Haesler, chief merchandising officer for PCNA.

Product Hub
Find the latest in quality products, must-know trends and fresh ideas for upcoming end-buyer campaigns.