Tote-ally Cool: Totes Bags & Their Lasting Effect on Promo

By Aileen Flaherty 

The humble tote bag has always been a utilitarian item – large, multifunctional and above all, practical. But despite its usefulness and functionality, its effectiveness in the promotional products landscape had been previously capped since it was rarely considered to be a desirable or fashion-forward item.

Things have changed in recent years, however, and tote bags have emerged as one of the most popular promotional products on the market. In the past five years, online searches for tote bags have soared by 120%. According to the ASI Ad Impressions Study, tote bags have one of the highest cost-per-impression of any promo product, with nearly 2,000 individual impressions over its lifetime and 43% of consumers keeping them for more than two years.

Let’s dig in to see why tote bags are big business lately:

A Sustainable Statement

As highlighted by ASI’s Promo for the Planet initiative, sustainability is one of the most important issues for end-buyers, as consumers are becoming more cognizant and passionate about reducing their carbon footprint and increasing their reliance on reusable items. Not so coincidentally, the rise in awareness for eco-friendly promotional products coincides perfectly with the tote bag’s emergence.

The tote bag is arguably the simplest and most effective of all sustainable items. A tote crafted from high-quality canvas or cotton is designed to last for years or even decades, which means just one well-made bag will single-handedly stop the production of thousands of single-use plastic bags, one of the worst offenders to the climate crisis.

Sustainable promo solutions are a no-brainer both ethically and economically, as 46% of consumers feel more favorable about a company who features environmentally friendly products.

Universal Functionality

Turns out, the tote bag’s simplistic design is a feature, not a bug. What may be considered boring to close-minded, stuck-in-their-ways brands is seen as a blank canvas for inspired, creative leaders.

The easy answer for “Who needs a tote bag?” is “everyone.” Trips to the grocery store? That’s a job for a tote bag. Lugging kids’ toys, lunch, books and everything else under the sun a quarter mile down the beach? A tote bag has you covered. Going to the gym after work? Need an extra overnight bag on a trip to see your family? Bringing goodies to the office holiday party? Tote, tote, tote.

This sort of widespread appeal and multifunctionality means every single promo market – education, healthcare, nonprofits, construction and so much more – are always in need for a product that’s so reliable and sought after.

Surprisingly Stylish

With sturdy and practical roots, tote bags don’t need to look flashy to fulfill their destiny as one of the best and most used promo products on the market, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to make a stylish splash on these must-have bags.

Brands like Baggu have brought stylish tote bags to the mainstream, specializing in everything from bold and colorful to sleek and sparkly, allowing users to make their bag choices an extension of their personality. Not unlike more traditional promo items like T-shirts, tote bags have limitless creative potential, and this form of personal expression is becoming increasingly popular in promo.

The universality of tote bags has even permeated celebrity culture, with many stars ditching small and expensive designer bags for roomy and versatile totes. As influential trendsetters start to embrace comfortable and functional accessories over their more status-driver counterparts, it raises the cool factor of tote bags exponentially.

Find thousands of tote bag solutions in ESP.

 

[Sources]

“The Role of Tote Bags in Modern Fashion: Trends and Influences”, Pack Point International.
“The Ultimate Tote Bag Guide: Ethical & Sustainable Fashion,” Made Free.