Need further proof that Americans love hand sanitizer—especially free hand sanitizer? The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) says hand sanitizers now rival pens as the most popular logoed items that companies are giving away to clients and employees.
According to the Trevose, PA-based organization, searches of the key words "hand sanitizers" by promotional products distributors via its promotional products database jumped 439% between October 2009 and October 2008. Only searches for pens—which for years have been the best-selling logoed product—were higher during that period. In addition, searches for sanitizer products of all kinds jumped by triple digits this year, ASI reported.
Larry Wilhelm, chief executive officer of Custom HBC, a supplier of customized health and beauty products for the advertising specialty field, said that since May, sales of sanitizer sprays, gels and other anti-bacterial products have increased from approximately 400,000 to 750,000 units a month.
According to Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), sales of hand sanitizer rose 17% in supermarkets, drug stores and mass outlets (excluding Walmart) for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 6.