Blog | Tell & Sell - NZ’s Promotional Products Experts

1. What’s happening in the NZ economy — and why it matters for your marketing

New Zealand’s economy is going through some trickier times. Consumer spending is under pressure because of higher living costs and uncertainty about the future. At the same time, many businesses are tightening budgets and looking for smarter ways to stand out.

For example, one commentary noted that “high promotional activity is eating retail margins” in NZ as retailers are in “survival mode.” BusinessDesk
Also, the government’s own business guidance emphasises that when budgets are tight, promotions and marketing gimmicks need to deliver real value, not just louder noise. Business.govt.nz

In short: with customers more cautious and businesses more cost-conscious, you must make your marketing spend count.

2. Why promotional products make sense now

Here’s why branded giveaways and merchandise are not just nice-to-have, but a strategic play in this economy:

a) Cost-effective visibility

Unlike big ad buys that can cost a lot with uncertain return, a well-chosen promotional product can give your brand repeated exposure over time. A simple branded pen, notebook or reusable bottle gets used again and again — each use renewing the impression. Research from TechBullion shows:

“Items like coffee mugs, notebooks, or pens remain in use for months, ensuring repeated exposure to your logo or business message.” TechBullion
That means you’re not just paying for a one-off blast; you’re paying for longevity.

b) Strengthening recall and loyalty

When people receive something physical, especially something useful, it creates a stronger connection than a passing digital ad. That builds brand recall (“Oh yes — I’ve seen this brand before”) and loyalty (“They gave me something, I feel valued”).
For example, techbullion notes 76% of people recalled branding on a promotional product a year later. TechBullion

c) Keeping top‐of‐mind when spending is down

When customers are cautious about spending, you want your brand to be top of mind so when they are ready to buy, you’re the one they remember. A promotional product helps maintain that mental presence. One blog by Tell & Sell states:

“While the temptation during a downturn may be to cut back on marketing costs, this is often a mistake. Instead, businesses should focus on strategic, cost-effective ways to keep their brand in front of customers. … That’s where promotional products come into play.” Promotional Products NZ

d) Aligning with Kiwi values & unique market sensibilities

In NZ, there’s a growing preference for eco-friendly, thoughtfully made items and for brands that reflect NZ culture and values. For example:

“Reusable water bottles, bamboo or recycled material notebooks … outdoor gear … tie into New Zealand’s love for nature and adventure.” NZBIO.ORG.NZ
By choosing promotional products that reflect these values, you’re building more than a logo on a product — you’re building affinity.

3. What kinds of promotional products work in the NZ climate?

Here are some strong categories to consider — especially right now:

• Everyday useful items: Pens, notebooks, reusable coffee cups. These get used frequently and thus repeatedly show your brand.

• Eco-/sustainable items: Think organic cotton tote bags, bamboo drinkware, recycled notebooks. These appeal to NZers’ environmental sensibility. Promotional Products NZ+1

• Outdoor/lifestyle gear: Since Kiwis love being outside, branded picnic blankets, water bottles, foldable chairs, etc., can be a hit. Promotional Products NZ

• Tech/utility items: Smaller budget-friendly tech (power banks, phone stands) that get frequent use.

• Customised/quality items: Even something simple but done well (good materials, clean design, subtle branding) often resonates better than something cheap and loud.

4. How Tell & Sell Promotions helps you leverage this

Here’s how Tell & Sell (NZ’s promotional products specialist) can assist in making your promotional product strategy effective — especially given the economic environment:

• Expertise and local knowledge: Tell & Sell has been in the NZ promotional product business for many years and know what works in the Kiwi market. Their blog reveals they’ve explored trends specifically in NZ for 2025. Promotional Products NZ+1

• Budget-aware options: Because you’re operating in a tighter economy, they help you find cost-effective solutions — items that deliver value and repeat exposure, not just “cheap freebies”.

• Custom branding services: They handle branding methods (screen printing, laser engraving, embroidery, etc) so you can ensure your promotional items look professional and align with your brand identity. Hotfrog+1

• Sustainability support: If you want to lean into eco-friendly products (which will resonate in NZ), Tell & Sell can guide you through suitable items and sourcing.

• Strategic advice in down-turns: Their blog directly addresses “navigating a downturn” and explains how promotional products can be a smarter spend when budgets are constrained. Promotional Products NZ

• End-to-end fulfillment: From selection through branding through logistics, they make it simpler for your business to execute without diverting too many internal resources.

5. Tips to get the most out of your promotional product strategy

Here are some practical tips to make sure your promotional spend delivers real return in the NZ environment:

• Choose items people will actually use: A promotional item that ends up in a cupboard or landfill is wasted spend. Pick something functional and relevant.

• Ensure brand integration and quality: A low-quality item with your logo that fades or breaks is worse than nothing — it damages brand perception.

• Target the right audience: Rather than broadly “spraying” items everywhere, think about who your best customers are and tailor items accordingly.

• Align the item with your brand story/values: If your business emphasises sustainability, choose an eco-item. If you serve outdoor-lifestyle clients, choose something outdoor-friendly. This alignment strengthens the message.

• Use items as part of a broader campaign: Promotional products work best when they’re not standalone — tie them into an event, trade show, customer-thank-you, referral program, etc.

• Measure impact and follow up: Even though it's harder to track promotional items than digital ads, try to set metrics: “How many people used this at our stand?”, “Did recipient-customers return?”, “Any uplift in brand mention?”. According to NZ business guidance, measuring the impact of promotions is important. Business.govt.nz

• Don’t slash marketing spend prematurely: Many businesses instinctively cut back on marketing first in a downturn, but smart ones shift spend to more efficient channels (like promotional products) instead of simply stopping. Tell & Sell’s blog emphasises this. Promotional Products NZ

6. Final thoughts

In summary: while the NZ economy may be slowing and budgets may be tighter, this doesn’t mean you should stop investing in your brand. It means you should invest smarter. Promotional products — if chosen and used wisely — offer a high-value way to stay visible, build loyalty, and reinforce your brand, even when your customers are more cautious.

And that’s where Tell & Sell comes in: as a local expert helping NZ businesses navigate this exact environment, ensuring you pick the right items, avoid waste, and maximise impact.

If you like, I can identify 5 specific promotional product ideas tailored for NZ businesses in 2025 (with cost estimates and likely impact) and we can see how Tell & Sell can fulfil them. Would that be useful?