AI may well be the business trend of the year but there will always be a place for face-to-face interaction. And in the promotional merchandise sector that place is Merchandise World.

The traditional kickstart to the year will happen on 21-22 January in Coventry, perfectly timed to allow visitors and exhibitors to blow off the post-holiday cobwebs and get right down to planning for the year ahead.

More than 180 exhibitors will be at the event representing manufacturers and wholesalers from the UK and European Union presenting new product ranges, environmental products, and their best-selling lines. With UK collective market spend on merchandise at more than £1.2 Billion, Merchandise World is the place where distributors and suppliers come together to do business.

Established and new players

Some of the biggest names in the sector will be represented at the show, such as PF Concept, Bic, Screenworks, The Sweet People, Gafbros, XD Connects, and Goldstar.

In addition, there are a selection of new suppliers this year, including: AS Colour, Atlantis Headwear, Aykiz, Jack & Jones, Teejays (apparel); Adsystem, Very Displays (display); Advantage Worldwide (logistics); Asquith (labelling); Chilly’s (drinkware); Easygifts, Macma (wholesalers) Gorenler (textiles); Promo Water (drinks); Soake (umbrellas); Vonmahlen, Xoopar (tech accessories), and The Wristband Company.

Visitors can see and feel the latest products, discuss branding techniques, and hear about the trends that will shape the year ahead.

Some of the top trends that will face merchandise users in 2026 include sustainability, premiumisation, retail equivalence, personalisation and customisation, and logistical delivery.

These are all fairly crunchy subjects that deserve to be interrogated in a bit more depth than a quick internet search, or even an email will allow. Merchandise World allows visitors to go into real detail by delivering the experts who are able to show real products and talk through options for merchandise campaigns.

Awards time

There is also time for recognition. The first night of Merchandise World will see the BPMA Awards Gala Dinner held at the CBS Arena and playing host to around 500 members of the trade. The Awards are the most prestigious in the sector recognising the suppliers and distributors who are held in highest esteem by their peers.

Voted for by BPMA members, the Awards are a genuine benchmark of the companies who are rated as the best business partners.

In addition, there will be awards for the best marketing campaigns of the year, and new recognition awards to shine a light on the talent in the industry.

We look forward to seeing you there.