Offering products in the pet swag market might seem like an obvious choice. According to a report shared by Fortune Business Insights, the global pet apparel market size was valued at $5.56 billion (about $17 per person in the US) in 2023. That number is projected to reach $8.97 billion (about $28 per person in the US) by 2032. The money is there, the opportunity is there, but before distributors get their rose-colored glasses on, there is a crucial piece of this data that must be understood and learned.
One cannot just add promotional pet swag to their offerings and think that is it. Rather, promotional products distributors must understand how, where, and why branded gear for pets makes sense for their offerings and their clients. There is a plethora of local, regional, and even national opportunities to capitalize on the billions of dollars when done right. And if distributors really want to stand out in this market, they will also consider going the unique route.
Swag-Wag Pet Promotions by Caro-Line is the answer. From solid-color pet triangles to Snap and Go triangles, and custom collars and leashes, distributors that partner with Caro-Line will be able to take advantage of the entire marketing pie.
Look to Your Local Communities
If we are really going to dissect how and why to sell unique pet bandannas, it is wise to start with the traditional pet categories. An easy foot in the door includes businesses such as the local veterinarians and animal rescues. These companies need items that not only promote their brand, but align with their clientele’s passions (i.e., their pets). Pet swag is an obvious choice.
Before we cover what to sell into this category, let us define some specific businesses to target:
- Pet shelters and animal rescues
- Nonprofit charities
- Kennels and pet daycares
- Veterinarians
- Groomers
- Supply stores
- Emergency pet hospitals
- Dog trainers
Don’t overthink these traditional businesses — this is a fantastic opportunity to give them something they do not typically use for co-branding opportunities. Offer them something simple yet fashionable to print their logo and promote their brand: The solid color pet triangles are a crowd favorite. These items are ideal for screen print branding and full-color digital transfers!
When your customers are ready to elevate, present the Snap and Go triangles or the Paw Power collars and leashes. The Snap and Go triangles feature an adjustable fit for any size dog or pet, which makes the paw-fect logo wearable that gets your customer’s brand noticed. Note that customized collars and leashes complete the look.
“Basically, you have a walking advertising billboard, with our furry friends wagging your swag with paws on the ground and eyes on the brand for each passerby to see,” says Scott Thackston, director of marketing and product development. “What better way to deliver your branding message than your very own new go-to local and regional promotional product for the best advertising ROI with Swag-Wag Pets by Caro-Line.”
The Need to go National
If you want to level up your game, entertain the idea of going beyond traditional categories and outside your local communities. From exploring nontraditional pet businesses to looking at national clients, pet swag fits the branding bill.
Consider the fact that pets are walking billboards — owners do not just bring them to the groomer, pet supply store, or training facility. Often you can find our four-legged friends at dog-friendly breweries or participating in 5k fundraisers. What better way for your regional and even national clients to promote their brands than with these furry creatures?
Let us again look at “who” these items are ideal for outside of pet-related businesses, starting at the local and regional level:
- Micro-breweries and vineyards
- Real estate and insurance agents
- Credit unions
- Pet-friendly resorts
- Hospitals and medical offices
You can also think big when it comes to selling branded pet swag:
- National distilleries and beverage providers
- National banks and financial institutions
- Nationwide nonprofits and charities
To bring the branding impact these larger clients look for, distributors should get their paws on the ground and eyes on the brand using Snap and Go triangles, as well as the branded collars and leashes from Pet Promotions by Caro-Line.
Snap and Go triangles can be customized in a variety of ways. For example, digital transfers allow for full color/PMS matching to ensure your client’s logo is on point. Or opt for a stock screen print border with the logo smack-dab in the middle for extra promotional punch.
Pet collars are available in two widths, adjustable sizes, and feature durable components to stand up to wear and tear. Let Pet Promotions by Caro-Line create a full-color artistic design using the dye-sub printing process.
National clients may also be interested in the Paw Power collar and leash combo. Distributors can mix and match sizes and styles to give quantity break discounts, plus the company can print assorted designs on each side at no extra charge.
Some Selling Strategies
We have covered who distributors can sell unique pet swag to, and we’ve also looked at why they make great branding products for their promotional campaigns. Now it is time to bring it all together and talk about how to sell these items.
Choosing to offer pet products is an easy decision, but turning around and selling them to various clients (both traditional and nontraditional) does require some strategy. “Target all of your clients, especially those who don’t specifically operate in the pet industry — they, too, can utilize pet products in their local to regional branding campaigns for pets are walking billboards in every community,” says Thackston.
He notes that there are some differences in your approach when working with local versus national clients, specifically with the size of the order. “The scale and volume of the promotional giveaway [differ], but the branding with the public is still on the street and neighborhood areas, with the pets wearing your brand,” notes Thackston. “The biggest difference is the printing process to achieve a very economical large quantity promotional giveaway on a budget. This is where our exclusive USA in-house rotary dyed, fully sustainable imprinting process comes in. … Rotary offers a faster production time at larger quantities, thus are less expensive the higher the number of pieces printed.”
Overall, selling to a variety of clients only benefits distributors. “These serve as a larger promotional giveaway opportunity to showcase your brand out in front of a large, diverse audience, especially when it comes to pet lovers,” Thackston says.
Get your hands on a free sample kit to see for yourself why partnering with Swag-Wag Promotions by Caro-Line will elevate your promotional products game.
