What Australians Think About Promotional Products: Insights from 100 Respondents

When it comes to promotional merchandise, there’s plenty of talk — but not much data from real recipients. So, over 15 days, we decided to find out what Australians actually think by asking them to participate in a survey.

In a first of its kind in Australia, at Cubic Promote, we surveyed 100 respondents across Sydney, including clients, students, trade show visitors, and everyday consumers. We wanted to know how people use, remember, and value promotional products — and what that means for businesses trying to achieve a positive ROI with them. Here’s what we discovered.

1. The Power of Recall: 83% Remembered Their Last Promotional Item

Brand recall is the backbone of promotional marketing, and this data shows it’s still thriving.

A massive 83% of Sydney respondents could recall their last promotional item, proving that branded merchandise remains one of the most memorable touchpoints in marketing.

Top 10 Most-Remembered Items

 

 

 

These are products people see, touch, and use daily — they create habitual exposure that advertising can’t replicate.

2. People Keep Branded Items — and for a Long Time

Forget one-and-done giveaways. The survey showed that 79.5% of respondents still have their last promotional item, and 65% have kept one for over a year.

 

 

 

Takeaway: A quality promotional product can quietly promote your business for 12+ months — a long lifespan compared to digital ads or social media posts that vanish in seconds.

3. Merchandise Beats Digital for Recall

When asked which channels create the strongest recall, respondents ranked promotional merchandise first — ahead of social media, online ads, and TV.

 

 

 

And when directly comparing physical branded items vs social media ads, 58% said promotional products spark stronger recall, while only 18% preferred ads. That’s a clear vote for the tactile, personal power of real objects.

4. A Positive Emotional Connection

It’s not just recall — promotional items actually improve brand perception.

79% of respondents said they felt more positive toward a business after receiving a branded product.

 

 

 

It’s proof that small, thoughtful gifts drive emotional goodwill — something that’s increasingly hard to achieve in crowded digital channels.

5. Professionalism and Credibility Lift

Branded merchandise doesn’t just make people happy — it enhances credibility.

75% of respondents said branded items make a company appear more professional, while only 4% said the opposite.

 

 

 

Pro tip: Choose quality finishes — such as laser engraving on metal pens or full-colour print on reusable bottles — to project competence and care.

6. Eco-Friendly Merchandise Is No Longer Optional

The eco-trend isn’t niche anymore — it’s the norm.

68% of Sydney respondents said they prefer eco-friendly items; only 8% said they do not.

 

 

 

Products like bamboo pens, RPET tote bags, and FSC-certified notebooks aren’t just “nice to have” — they align your brand with consumer expectations of Sustainability.

7. What Products People Actually Use

When asked which categories of promo products they found most useful, respondents ranked them as follows:

 

 

 

It’s a clear message: valuable items win. Tote bags, notebooks, and bottles make life easier, while novel problem-solvers — like compact umbrellas or cable organisers — add delight.

8. The Purchase Influence Effect

When asked whether a good promotional item would influence their buying decision:

• 38% said “definitely yes”
• 41% said “maybe”

That means nearly 80% of recipients believe branded merchandise can shift purchasing behaviour — remarkable for an item that often costs under $10 per unit.

What This Means for Businesses

Here’s what Sydney’s feedback tells us:

✅ Focus on function first.

Items that make daily life easier — bottles, notebooks, umbrellas — deliver consistent exposure and goodwill.

✅ Sustainability is table stakes.

Eco credentials now influence perception and retention. Highlight them on packaging and product pages.

✅ quality equals longevity.

A slightly higher unit cost pays off with a 12-month shelf life and daily logo visibility.

✅ Physical beats digital.

Promotional items create tactile recall and emotional connection — both proven drivers of long-term brand awareness.

✅ Design matters.

Go for clean, legible logos and packaging that looks considered. People associate product polish with brand professionalism.

Our Survey Methodology

• Respondents: 100 Sydney-based participants (clients, students, family/friends, and trade show visitors to our booth).
• Survey Duration: 15 days (in August 2025)
• Data Collected: A recipient’s reaction and ability to recall a product. How long they retained the item. Environmental preferences, Emotional impact, professionalism, and purchase influence.
• Goal: Identify which products generate strong recall and logo brand affinity.

Conclusion

Promotional merchandise continues to outperform digital impressions in terms of visibility, emotional impact, and longevity.

Whether it’s a tote bag that’s still in use after a year, or a water bottle carried daily, these items keep your brand in motion long after an ad campaign ends.

The takeaway is simple:

💡 Make it useful, make it quality, make it environmentally friendly — and your brand will stay remembered.

Want to design your next promotional campaign with proven impact?

Explore [Cubic Promote’s full range of branded merchandise] — or talk to our team about how to turn survey-backed insights into more innovative promotional strategies.