Key Takeaways
• Promo industry confidence tracks more closely to consumer sentiment than stock market performance.
• Industry sales are lagging behind the rate of inflation since 2019.
• How long it takes suppliers to get paid serves as a surprising economic indicator.
• Business investment spending has grown much faster than promo sales since 2011.
Comparing distributors across revenue classes reveals a few clear themes as sales grow: Distributors tend to serve more clients, place larger and more frequent orders, work with a broader supplier base, and become more active in acquisitions. At the same time, certain challenges remain remarkably consistent, particularly the push to grow customer bases and maintain profitability. Use these promo industry distributor snapshots to see how your company compares with peers of a similar size and identify the traits, opportunities and challenges that define each stage of growth.
Read this full article here, and catch up on all of the stories from the Counselor 2026 State of the Industry.
