Four Trends To Know Heading Into 2021

There are literally thousands of products to pick from for a given promotion. But if you want something people will actually like – in other words, something that'll create brand impressions – it helps to know the trends shaping consumer behavior.

Well, we're here to help! The PCNA product development team follows this stuff really closely. They do research. They study forecasts. They pore over data. They follow shoppers around at Target.

(OK, we made that last one up.)

The point is, our P.D. team uses all this information to decide which products are about to take off – and that allows you to offer customers the retail trends in real time, not six months later.

Here are four trends to know for the final few weeks of gift season and heading into 2021.

Blast From The Past

A color blast, that is. Yep, one of the trends you can expect to see more in the months ahead actually dates all the way back to the '60s. Tie-dye's not just for free-spirited hippies anymore – even middle-aged moms are rocking it these days. And it's a whole new way for brands to show off their fun side.

What a long, strange trip it's been for tie-dye.

Tie-Dye Shopper Tote | 2150-14

Comfort Factor

There are two big things driving the whole "comfort" trend. First, people are spending a lot more time at home during the pandemic, whether it's because they're working remotely or simply choosing to stay in. And second, it's been a really stressful year!

As temperatures begin to drop, here are a couple new ways to stay cozy - both with comfy sherpa linings for extra warmth.

Roots 73™ Copperbay Hoody | TM98734 (W) + TM18734 (M)

Oversized Wearable WFH Cozy Fleece Sherpa Blanket | 1081-56

A Natural Shift

Hiking, biking, camping – even a Sunday afternoon in the park. The pandemic has also driven interest in the outdoors, where you can escape the confines of the house without being around lots of people.

At the same time, this renewed appreciation for nature has more people focused on protecting the environment, leading to greater demand for sustainable products.

Made partly with plant-based material, the CamelBak® Pivot Echo™ water bottle is perfect for getting out and exploring:

Healthy Habits

From a product-trend perspective, the most obvious effect of the pandemic is a focus on staying healthy. As employees return to the workplace, gyms get a little more crowded, and other public places allow more people, look for new products that help prevent germs from spreading.

Tote With Antimicrobial Additive | SM-5718

Porto Bottle With No-Contact Tool | 1600-05

This Just In!

To see even more of what our P.D. team's just launched, check out new products from Leed's, Bullet and Trimark here.