The promo industry is facing major adversity. But apparel manufacturers have taken this opportunity not only to pivot for the sake of their business, but to do some real good. Last week, we we reported that Los Angeles Apparel offered its workforce to create face masks. It’s now joined by companies like Hanes, SnugZ USA, Starline and more…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
The SWAG Act Is Still Alive, But It’s Now Much More Industry-Friendly Than You Think
Iowa Sen. Jodi Ernst’s SWAG Act gained momentum in the Senate thanks to support from big-name legislators like Rand Paul and Rick Scott. What we’ve learned since our story last week is that the bill’s new, revised version was done with input from PPAI, and is at a point where the association is happy with it if it becomes signed into law…
Read MoreGildan Suspends Manufacturing Until Mid-April
Gildan Activewear, Montreal, announced today that it is suspending production at all of its manufacturing facilities until mid-April. The company cited a decrease in demand due to event cancellations, government measures and slowing retail demand via social distancing as a result of COVID-19. The company’s distribution centers will remain open…
Read MorePromo Supplier Statuses Following PA, CA, NY State Shutdowns
Last night, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolfe ordered the immediate shutdown of non-essential businesses in their respective states, impacting promo suppliers. Today, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a similar order, and it’s more than likely that other states will follow suit as things develop…
Read MorePromo Suppliers Coronavirus Update: Who’s Open and How They’re Supporting Distributors
As the industry enters uncharted territory, promo suppliers have been inspiring in their resilience and commitment to finding solutions to not only keep their own business wheels spinning, but also to support distributor customers…
Read MoreCanadian Government to Designate Plastics as Toxins
The Canadian federal government reportedly plans to designate plastics as toxic substances, giving the government the power to regulate and limit certain products in Canada. According to the Globe and Mail, the government will list plastics as toxins under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, rather than the planned ban of single-use plastics by 2021. By…
Read MoreDov Charney Offers Los Angeles Apparel Workforce for Masks, Medical Products
American Apparel founder and former CEO Dov Charney, now at the helm of Los Angeles Apparel, is offering his company’s manufacturing capabilities to combat the ongoing COVID-19 crisis by manufacturing masks and other medical products for “any government agency”…
Read MoreCreative Branded Merch and E-Commerce Platforms: How Small Service Businesses Are Looking to Survive a Crisis
To make up for some lost business as cities and states increase efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus, bars and restaurants have had to get creative with ways to make money while their doors are locked. One of those ways? Selling branded merchandise…
Read MoreIowa Senator’s ‘SWAG Act’ Against Federal Promo Spending Is One Step Closer to Becoming Law
We’ve been following Sen. Jodi Ernst (R-IA) and her Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act, known as the SWAG Act, for a few months now. The bill took another step toward becoming law, passing unanimously through a Senate committee…
Read MoreActivist Group ‘Stops the Spread’ of Racism With Promotional Hand Sanitizer Campaign
The Chinese Canadian Council for Social Justice debuted a promotional campaign to combat the racial discrimination against Asian people during the height of coronavirus panic. The campaign involved a commercial, showing people in hazmat suit walking the streets of Toronto, handing out miniature bottles of promotional hand sanitizer that say “Stop the Spread”…
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