Despite the downturn our industry has faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, one supplier has managed to weather the storm and avoid a decrease in orders. How? Wilson Brown Sock Company is sharing the wide variety of benefits that allow promotional socks to bring in steady business.
With the economy still stabilizing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it should come as no surprise that clients care a lot about cost right now. One of the simplest ways to secure orders is to offer products at price points they can afford. Promotional socks fit this need perfectly. Even premium socks are available at a great price for the quality, so your clients don't need to compromise: They can have the best of both worlds and stick to their budgets.
While the promotional sock category in general hits a pleasing price point, Wilson Brown Sock Company takes it a step further. Thanks to their streamlined business model and Lean Six Sigma Certified employees on staff who constantly look for ways to improve the fulfillment process, this supplier is able to get costs even lower. You’ll always feel confident knowing you’re getting the best deal.
Since 1998, Lean Six Sigma Institute has trained professionals and helped organizations from a wide variety of industries implement tools and methodologies to reduce costs and achieve substantial improvements in lead times, quality, safety employee morale and customer satisfaction. In short, certified individuals help companies reduce non-value-adding details to make companies more efficient and cost-effective overall.
Promo popularity often follows retail, and promotional socks are no exception. Go into any apparel and accessories store and you'll find a selection of socks with unique patterns, designs and sayings on them. This trend is particularly popular with young audiences (think Gen Z, college students and interns) as well as those in corporate America.
One trend Wilson Brown Sock Company has noticed is the rise in quirky and creative dress socks. In the past, neckties and pocket squares were often worn to express the wearer's personality while complying with strict dress codes. However, with workplaces adopting more relaxed clothing requirements, this trend has shifted to socks. Both men and women use fun patterns and pops of color to add pizazz to any outfit in and out of the office.
Another effect of the pandemic is the increased demand for domestically made goods. Due to supply chain strains and transit delays, it's often safer to order from U.S.-based suppliers. After all, who wants to risk delayed in-hand dates and unhappy clients?
Wilson Brown Sock Company isn't new to the made-in-the-USA manufacturing story – they've lived it. Based in North Carolina, this supplier has seen the heritage of American manufacturing firsthand, as there used to be almost 100 sock mills in just their county. Why is this so great? There's still a wealth of knowledge and connections in their community, which gives them access to yarn vendors, skilled knitting machine technicians, machine parts and more.
Wilson Brown Sock Company's cotton supply chain is entirely U.S.-based, covering 126 miles from start to finish. Here's how it works:
Memphis Cotton Exchange: Cotton that's 100% sourced from Georgia, Texas or South Carolina is purchased
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Thomasville, North Carolina: Cotton is brought to spinning plants where raw materials are turned into usable cotton fibers
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Belmont, North Carolina: Cotton is received, then dyed in various shades
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Haw River, North Carolina: Cotton is knitted into high-quality socks for your customers
Promos are only as good as their customization options. When it's time to talk decoration, the last thing you want to have to tell a client is, "Sorry, we can't do that." Not only is customization important for meeting corporate brand guidelines, it's also a crucial component for promotions that get noticed. You want to show clients something new and unexpected. Is your supplier up to the task?
Customization is one area where Wilson Brown Sock Company really shines, due to their in-house design team and advanced knit-in capabilities. This allows for shorter lead times, as the in-house designers know their capabilities better than a contractor would. This supplier also uses state-of-the-art machines that allow for more detail in the designs – Wilson Brown Sock Company can put text, logos, colors and more almost anywhere your client wants.
Last but not least, it's important to point out the mass appeal that socks have. This is truly a one-size-fits-all promo solution. No matter what age, demographic or geographic location your clients are trying to win over, socks will do it. Virtually anyone can use them, and extra socks always come in handy. End-users will appreciate being given a wearable they'd have to buy anyway.
To illustrate the wide appeal of promo socks, take a look at Wilson Brown Sock Company. This supplier fulfilled a large amount of orders in Puerto Rico, where socks are exceptionally popular for being an inexpensive way to unite groups or sports teams, especially for kids. Don't be afraid to think outside the box when prospecting for potential clients – there's opportunity in places you wouldn't expect.
Ready to get started? Wilson Brown Sock Company carries a wide range of sock prints and patterns so you can comply with your client's specific needs. See below for a brief overview of some of the most popular styles.
Choose from a wide range of colors to add a pop of fun to any promotion.
The quintessential sock pattern is a must for corporate clients and professional projects.
Not only does this pattern look sharp, these socks also offer arch support for premium fit and comfort.
You can't go wrong with a striped sock, a popular choice for collegiate wear and sports teams.
This is an excellent pattern to work company logos into, creating a comprehensive branded look.