GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Promotional Products Industry Statistics

Diversity drives growth, innovation, loyalty, and competitive success industry-wide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

79% of consumers say companies must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to stand out

Statistic 2

85% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that demonstrate diversity and inclusion

Statistic 3

56% of consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that take stands on social issues

Statistic 4

67% of consumers say diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts influence their purchasing decisions

Statistic 5

73% of consumers want to support brands that demonstrate authentic diversity and inclusion efforts

Statistic 6

87% of consumers say they are more loyal to brands that showcase diversity in their advertising

Statistic 7

81% of consumers prefer brands that actively promote social justice

Statistic 8

73% of consumers want to see more representation of minorities and marginalized groups in promotional campaigns

Statistic 9

45% of promotional product buyers feel that industry suppliers lack sufficient diversity

Statistic 10

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors

Statistic 11

61% of employees are more likely to stay at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion

Statistic 12

The promotional products industry is estimated to reach $25 billion by 2023, with diversity initiatives being a key growth factor

Statistic 13

45% of marketing professionals say that diversity and inclusion are key to their brand messaging

Statistic 14

Female-Owned promotional product businesses account for approximately 30% of the industry

Statistic 15

BIPOC entrepreneurs make up around 20% of promotional product business owners

Statistic 16

72% of promotional products companies report implementing D&I initiatives in their business practices

Statistic 17

68% of marketing campaigns now incorporate diverse representation, a rise of 25% over the past five years

Statistic 18

44% of industry professionals believe that increasing diversity could lead to more innovative promotional product ideas

Statistic 19

Companies with inclusive cultures see a 22% increase in employee productivity

Statistic 20

34% of promotional product companies have a dedicated DEI officer or team, indicating growing organizational focus

Statistic 21

82% of DEI initiatives in the industry aim to improve supplier diversity

Statistic 22

80% of companies report that DEI initiatives have improved team collaboration

Statistic 23

60% of promotional product clients prioritize supplier diversity in their procurement decisions

Statistic 24

50% of promotional products companies have training programs focused on unconscious bias

Statistic 25

65% of industry exhibitors at trade shows now feature diversity-themed campaigns or branding

Statistic 26

48% of promotional products are now customized to reflect cultural diversity and inclusion themes

Statistic 27

79% of employees report feeling more valued in inclusive workplaces

Statistic 28

54% of promotional products companies plan to increase their DEI budget in the next year

Statistic 29

30% of promotional product marketing campaigns now explicitly promote inclusive messages

Statistic 30

40% of industry conferences now include sessions on diversity and inclusion, indicating industry-wide engagement

Statistic 31

44% of promotional products industry professionals report being concerned about representation gaps

Statistic 32

76% of marketing agencies believe that inclusive branding increases market share

Statistic 33

39% of promotional products professionals say they lack sufficient diversity training

Statistic 34

55% of promotional products companies have set measurable DEI goals for 2024

Statistic 35

49% of promotional products are now designed to appeal to diverse cultural groups

Statistic 36

38% of promotional products companies report that their DEI initiatives have led to better employee retention

Statistic 37

29% of industry firms have explicit policies for supporting LGBTQ+ inclusivity

Statistic 38

46% of promotional product executions now include diversity-themed elements

Statistic 39

64% of industry professionals believe DEI efforts will enhance brand reputation

Statistic 40

52% of promotional products industry leaders say future growth depends on embracing diversity

Statistic 41

68% of promotional products clients consider a supplier’s DEI practices in their decision-making process

Statistic 42

55% of promotional products buyers seek suppliers with demonstrated commitments to sustainability and social justice

Statistic 43

62% of promotional products companies have seen increased sales after implementing DEI policies

Statistic 44

65% of industry participants believe sustainability and diversity efforts should be integrated

Statistic 45

71% of industry leaders believe that DEI efforts are essential for long-term growth

Statistic 46

58% of industry companies have partnership initiatives with diverse supplier networks

Statistic 47

70% of millennials consider a company's stance on social issues when choosing where to work

Statistic 48

Only 19% of employees in the promotional products industry feel their workplace is diverse

Statistic 49

The average age of promotional products industry leaders is 49 years, with only 15% being under 35, indicating a potential gap in diverse youth representation

Statistic 50

40% of promotional products industry workers are from underrepresented backgrounds

Statistic 51

69% of new industry recruits are from diverse backgrounds, indicating a shift towards greater inclusivity

Slide 1 of 51

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors
79% of consumers say companies must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to stand out
61% of employees are more likely to stay at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion
85% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that demonstrate diversity and inclusion
70% of millennials consider a company's stance on social issues when choosing where to work
The promotional products industry is estimated to reach $25 billion by 2023, with diversity initiatives being a key growth factor
45% of marketing professionals say that diversity and inclusion are key to their brand messaging
56% of consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that take stands on social issues
Only 19% of employees in the promotional products industry feel their workplace is diverse
Female-Owned promotional product businesses account for approximately 30% of the industry
BIPOC entrepreneurs make up around 20% of promotional product business owners
67% of consumers say diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts influence their purchasing decisions
72% of promotional products companies report implementing D&I initiatives in their business practices

In an industry poised to hit $25 billion by 2023, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is no longer just a moral choice—it’s a strategic imperative, with 79% of consumers favoring brands that demonstrate authentic DEI efforts and companies with diverse leadership outperforming their competitors by 33%.

Consumer Attitudes and Loyalty Towards Inclusive Brands

79% of consumers say companies must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to stand out
85% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that demonstrate diversity and inclusion
56% of consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that take stands on social issues
67% of consumers say diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts influence their purchasing decisions
73% of consumers want to support brands that demonstrate authentic diversity and inclusion efforts
87% of consumers say they are more loyal to brands that showcase diversity in their advertising
81% of consumers prefer brands that actively promote social justice
73% of consumers want to see more representation of minorities and marginalized groups in promotional campaigns

Consumer Attitudes and Loyalty Towards Inclusive Brands Interpretation

In an era where consumers increasingly wear their values like a badge of honor, the data makes it clear: authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion in promotional products aren’t just good ethics—they’re good business, with over 80% of consumers voting with their wallets for brands that walk the talk.

Diversity

45% of promotional product buyers feel that industry suppliers lack sufficient diversity

Diversity Interpretation

With nearly half of promotional product buyers perceiving a lack of diversity among industry suppliers, it's clear that the sector needs to diversify its palette not just for inclusion's sake, but to truly resonate with an increasingly eclectic consumer base.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Impact

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors
61% of employees are more likely to stay at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion
The promotional products industry is estimated to reach $25 billion by 2023, with diversity initiatives being a key growth factor
45% of marketing professionals say that diversity and inclusion are key to their brand messaging
Female-Owned promotional product businesses account for approximately 30% of the industry
BIPOC entrepreneurs make up around 20% of promotional product business owners
72% of promotional products companies report implementing D&I initiatives in their business practices
68% of marketing campaigns now incorporate diverse representation, a rise of 25% over the past five years
44% of industry professionals believe that increasing diversity could lead to more innovative promotional product ideas
Companies with inclusive cultures see a 22% increase in employee productivity
34% of promotional product companies have a dedicated DEI officer or team, indicating growing organizational focus
82% of DEI initiatives in the industry aim to improve supplier diversity
80% of companies report that DEI initiatives have improved team collaboration
60% of promotional product clients prioritize supplier diversity in their procurement decisions
50% of promotional products companies have training programs focused on unconscious bias
65% of industry exhibitors at trade shows now feature diversity-themed campaigns or branding
48% of promotional products are now customized to reflect cultural diversity and inclusion themes
79% of employees report feeling more valued in inclusive workplaces
54% of promotional products companies plan to increase their DEI budget in the next year
30% of promotional product marketing campaigns now explicitly promote inclusive messages
40% of industry conferences now include sessions on diversity and inclusion, indicating industry-wide engagement
44% of promotional products industry professionals report being concerned about representation gaps
76% of marketing agencies believe that inclusive branding increases market share
39% of promotional products professionals say they lack sufficient diversity training
55% of promotional products companies have set measurable DEI goals for 2024
49% of promotional products are now designed to appeal to diverse cultural groups
38% of promotional products companies report that their DEI initiatives have led to better employee retention
29% of industry firms have explicit policies for supporting LGBTQ+ inclusivity
46% of promotional product executions now include diversity-themed elements
64% of industry professionals believe DEI efforts will enhance brand reputation
52% of promotional products industry leaders say future growth depends on embracing diversity
68% of promotional products clients consider a supplier’s DEI practices in their decision-making process

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Impact Interpretation

In a rapidly evolving industry where 72% of players embrace D&I initiatives—boosting innovation, employee retention, and market share—it's clear that prioritizing diversity isn't just morally right but a sharp business strategy that fuels growth toward the $25 billion milestone by 2023.

Environmental Sustainability and Representation in Promotional Products

55% of promotional products buyers seek suppliers with demonstrated commitments to sustainability and social justice

Environmental Sustainability and Representation in Promotional Products Interpretation

With over half of buyers prioritizing sustainability and social justice, the promotional products industry must recognize that being eco-friendly and socially responsible isn't just a moral choice—it's now a key driver of competitive sales and brand reputation.

Impact

62% of promotional products companies have seen increased sales after implementing DEI policies
65% of industry participants believe sustainability and diversity efforts should be integrated

Impact Interpretation

With 62% of promotional products companies boosting sales through DEI policies and 65% calling for sustainable diversity efforts, the industry is proving that inclusivity isn't just morally right—it's a smart business move.

Industry Practices, Policies, and Market Trends

71% of industry leaders believe that DEI efforts are essential for long-term growth
58% of industry companies have partnership initiatives with diverse supplier networks

Industry Practices, Policies, and Market Trends Interpretation

With 71% of industry leaders recognizing DEI as vital for sustainable growth and 58% forging partnerships with diverse suppliers, the promotional products industry is clearly stitching diversity into its fabric for a future that's both colorful and resilient.

Workforce Diversity and Recruitment Trends

70% of millennials consider a company's stance on social issues when choosing where to work
Only 19% of employees in the promotional products industry feel their workplace is diverse
The average age of promotional products industry leaders is 49 years, with only 15% being under 35, indicating a potential gap in diverse youth representation
40% of promotional products industry workers are from underrepresented backgrounds
69% of new industry recruits are from diverse backgrounds, indicating a shift towards greater inclusivity

Workforce Diversity and Recruitment Trends Interpretation

While nearly three-quarters of millennials prioritize social values in choosing employers, the promotional products industry's age and diversity gaps suggest it must accelerate inclusion efforts to truly reflect its increasingly diverse workforce and clientele.