The festive season is the perfect occasion to relax, eat good food and enjoy quality time with people you wish you saw more of, but unfortunately, statistics tell us that this time of the...

  #ThisInternationalDogDay the Marke Creative Merchandising team want to highlight one of the nations most beloved pets and for good reason, we know dogs deserve the spotlight on helping us...

  With the summer holidays just around the corner, maybe it’s time for a picnic? The average person picnics at least three times a year – this equates to about 94 million picnics per year!...

If you could, what’s the quirkiest way you’d celebrate World Chocolate Day? Did you know that Elton John was turned into a life-size Dairy Milk chocolate statue at Madame Tussaud’s in London to...

In the UK alone, there are at least 2 million annual searches for “Walks Near Me”. With tens of thousands of miles of hiking paths available, most people won't have to look far for a trail to trek....

Photo by Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash Following 2 years of cancellations and delays, the UK and Europe are gearing up for a festival season like no other! The positive, fun and exciting atmosphere of a...

Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash   Did you know that a third of the world’s food production depends on bees? This means that every third spoonful of food depends on pollination (World Bee...

Looking to improve the creativity and focus of your team? Try filling break time with some chocolate for a rewarding energy boost! Many studies have long shown the benefits of chocolate – it can...

Stop the clocks – did you know that brisk walking may slow down the biological ageing process? A new study from the University of Leicester found that “brisk walkers have up to 20 years’ greater...

71% of consumers prefer to buy from a brand that aligns with their values (Forbes). Over the past few years, consumers have become increasingly politically and socially conscious, purchasing...

Why is creativity important in business? Creativity enables you to navigate difficult times and it also ensures that you excel when faced with challenges. Out-of-the-box creative thinking is what...

Customers and employees are looking for more than just products, they want experiences. The ongoing uncertainty in the world has caused consumers to seek comfort from positive, uplifting products...

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash   Research shows that 46% of consumers have a more favourable opinion of an advertiser if the promotional product they received was environmentally friendly....

Employee onboarding can be challenging in normal circumstances, let alone in the world we find ourselves navigating. So, preparation is critical to business success. By putting time and effort into...

Although lockdown led to an increase in dog ownership, it might be surprising to know that the sales and adoption of cats overtook those of dogs. It’s estimated that 7.5 million cats are kept in UK...

What good is a great promotional product if it’s wrapped in a bad impression? 66% of consumers say they would spend more on a product if it came from a sustainable brand (Nielsen). The sustainable...

41% of workers that experience stress say it causes a loss in their productivity levels. With multiple global challenges still affecting overall mental health, thoughtful gift ideas that can...

Did you know that many consumers now believe brands hold as much responsibility for positive change as governments? Sustainable practices are no longer considered a luxury, but a necessity. Here’s...

  Try solving this riddle. How can a person go eight days without sleep? The person sleeps at night. Sleep is crucial to human beings, but research has shown we’re not getting enough of it -...

  This is the secret to employee retention… 69% of employees are planning to leave their jobs this year (Workvivo). With employee turnover and the great resignation at the top of many business’...

  We’ve got a challenge for you. Test your creativity with this simple exercise. How many “switches” did you see? The average person will see 12. According to a study by Perception, how often...

57% of consumers who own promotional products say they’ve kept some of these for over 5 years. It’s no longer enough to simply stick your logo on a pen or shirt, your promotional merchandise...

When was the last time you reached out to your customers or employees? According to a survey, 91% of people said they were more likely to do business with companies that appreciate their customers....

Guess how much time the average Brit spends talking about the weather each year? The average Brit spends 45 hours a year talking about the weather – that’s almost two whole days! With Britain...

Are you taking enough advantage of the health benefits of creativity? If not, this is your cue. The wellness trend that dominated 2021 is set to continue this year as looking after ourselves has...

  According to a large-scale Swedish study, taking regular exercise outdoors may reduce anxiety by 60%. As we weave our way through the challenges of winter and its lack of sunshine, it can be...

  This is the trendiest way to get your brand out there right now… Extreme outdoor clothing is one of the most popular trends this winter and its popularity is set to continue, whatever the...

Guess how much waste a typical weekday lunch on the go creates? A typical weekday lunch can produce four or more items of waste. Britain’s ‘lunch on the go’ habit generates almost 11bn items of...

Why it’s important to have creative pursuits… With the chaos life throws at us, sometimes it can be easy to forget to do the things we enjoy. Engaging in creative pursuits maintains our wellbeing...

A recent study has found that menopause results in women leaving their job or turning down promotions due to insufficient support in the workplace. 56% of the women surveyed said their symptoms...

  Why is Autumn one of the most popular seasons? There’s psychology behind our love of the Autumnal experience... As the leaves of Autumn ‘fall in’, it’ll be a time filled with pumpkin-spiced...

What creative lessons can we learn from the octopus? Sometimes we need to be more octopus. But you’re probably wondering what this means. The octopus is one of the most peculiar creatures on Earth...

This #NationalDogDay the Marke Creative team is celebrating one of the nation’s beloved pets. We think our dogs deserve some time in the spotlight as they’ve been spreading smiles among the team...

67% of students attend Freshers’ Fairs purely for freebies, according to research from BAM Student Marketing. This September will see the return of in-person freshers’ fairs. Not only will this...

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, greenwashing is a growing concern – many now want to see proof of eco credentials. Yet 42% of companies exaggerate sustainability claims by...

The Olympics usually brings about what experts call the “participation effect”, whereby simply watching sports on television inspires us to get active and engage in more physical activity. And a new...

With the Olympics in full swing, how individual athletes can maximise their chances of success obviously takes centre stage. And there’s a surprising method that top-performing athletes use to relax...

As we start to return to the office, there has never been a better time to thank your team for all their hard work. A recent survey has found that over half of people working from home are ready to...

There are only two days out of the whole year in which there are no professional sports games – it’s no wonder every nation is a nation of sports enthusiasts. Sport has a “uniquely unifying power”...

The European reusable water bottle market size is predicted to grow at a rate of 4.1% from 2021 to 2028 – a time when it’s expected to reach $2.6 billion. Consumers are increasingly looking for ways...

How a little chocolate goes a long way… According to the International Cocoa Organization, nearly half of the word’s chocolate is consumed by Europeans. It’s estimated the average Brit, Swiss or...

According to LinkedIn Learning, “creativity is the single most important skill in the world.”  So why is it a skill that’s often overlooked? Having ideas is one thing but acting on them is another....

Competition time! Join us in taking on the Plastic Free July Challenge to be in with a chance of winning some eco-friendly prizes. Approximately 8 million pieces of plastic enters the oceans every...

  Did you know that music can help plants grow faster? So could you use it to grow your brand? It might sound bizarre, but a study conducted by South Korean scientists has shown that plants...

With four out of five people planning to holiday in the UK this year, a ‘Staycation Summer’ could bring a massive £22bn boost to domestic tourism. This unmissable trend is the ideal opportunity for...

It’s estimated that 40 million people are trapped in modern slavery across the globe. Shockingly, 1 in 4 of are children and 71% are women and girls Last week Marke Creative had the pleasure of...

On average, people who travel by bike live seven years longer than those who don’t. Everyone remembers the first time they learnt how to ride a bike. If it seems like too long ago, maybe this is...

Employee onboarding can be challenging in normal circumstances, let alone in the virtual world we find ourselves navigating. So preparation is critical to business success. By putting time and...

In the WFH era, the lines between work and life can be easily blurred. This can affect wellbeing and increase stress, affecting productivity and motivation levels. This is where employers have an...

Studies have shown that work meetings are up by 13% and on average, the workday is 48.5 minutes longer than pre-pandemic times. We know sitting down all day is bad for us. Yet while we work from...

Neuroscientists from the University of Tokyo have found that writing things down by hand is better for learning and memorisation. The physical cues of handwriting: The shapes of your letters and the...

When did you last dedicate some time to nurturing your creativity? Creativity has been described as the “passport” to success. So why aren’t we spending more time being creative? Being creative came...

Raising awareness of your brand shouldn’t be at the expense of the environment. Research shows that 46% of consumers have a more favourable opinion of an advertiser if the promo product they...

You’re trying to do the right thing, environment-wise. Be ‘green’. Recycle. Make the right buying choices. Compost things. But hang on, you’ve switched from plastic straws, to paper straws. You know...

Pause here. It’s time to take a break. Are company “wellness days” set to take off? Companies like Pinterest and Hootsuite are giving their employees time off to rest, recharge and reduce burnout....

Are you a cat or dog person? According to the RSPCA, 44% of households in the UK alone have pets. That’s roughly 51 million pets. Pets have been our most comforting companions during the pandemic -...

According to a recent survey, 46% of people say that virtual exercise will remain part of their weekly routine, even after gyms reopen. This is thanks to the capabilities, comfort, and flexibility...

“If all the clouds in the sky melted into cotton candy, would they taste blue or pink?” As kids we all tapped into our creative side by asking many questions (as above, no matter how bizarre), and...

According to recent research, companies are 21% more profitable when their staff are highly engaged. That's because employees who feel valued are more likely to be engaged and perform better....

  Confectionery is a simple, often overlooked but powerful promotional tool that can be used for virtual events, conferences, corporate or seasonal gifts, and more. Our confectionery can help...

“Taking care of yourself makes you stronger for everyone in your life, including you.” -Kelly Rudolph, NLP Practitioner and Life coach. Self-care should be a priority all year round. Encouraging...

2020 was a difficult year for everyone and there’s no doubt that 2021 will bring us more challenges. We’ll need to be extra creative, innovative, and dynamic to discover solutions to today’s...

  Movement. It’s what our body was made for. But with the increased time we’re spending at home, it can prove challenging. We all know that sitting down for too long is bad for you. A new study...

  Haven’t got round to planning your (virtual) festive work party yet? Don’t panic. We’ve put together a few easy and fun-filled ideas to inspire you. After the difficult year everyone has...

Chocolate is a universal language most of us know and love. More of us are indulging in chocolate with an extra £260m being spent on chocolate for “self-treating at home” during the past six months....

You might be tired, stressed, overwhelmed or all three. But you’re not alone. Over the past six months, these feelings might have made it harder to keep in touch with your creative side. Often...

According to Harvard Business Review, being curious allows for deeper and rational thinking, leading us to come up with more creative solutions. If the world wants breakthrough discoveries,...

  2020 has been one of the most challenging years of our time. As we approach the end, now has never been a better time to think about how to thank all the customers, staff and partners that...

With the resurgence of COVID occurring worldwide it’s safe to say that social distancing and hygiene practices will continue for some time. While mask-wearing has been adopted in different countries...

As the never-ending saga of COVID and the challenges of 2020 roll on, many of us wish we could go for a nap and wake up in 2021. While it's been a horror year for many, there's little doubt that...

  If ever there was a need to think outside the box it's now. Adapting our lives and businesses to the challenges of a COVID world requires creativity and innovation. While some companies have...

  For many businesses, events have traditionally been one of the biggest engagement tools in the armoury. Whether large scale exhibitions, conferences and trade shows, or small business...

With many of us on lock-down, possibly with a little more time on our hands, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of the plethora of online courses to boost our capacity for creative...

While we are all practicing social distancing and self-isolating, it is important to ensure we are staying healthy by taking regular exercise.  Exercise is key in contributing to a healthy immune...

Coronavirus is forcing us all to evaluate how we live our lives. Working from home is the new norm and in these uncertain times, it’s understandable that people will be stressed. But you can make...

In difficult times such as these, it’s important to remember to do things that make you happy. Appreciating the small things in life can do wonders for our mental wellbeing and increase our...

In the current climate of uncertainty, businesses are on the lookout for ways that they can best enable employees to work from home.  Technology offers new ways to balance work, life, family and the...

Did you know that every minute, a million plastic bottles are bought worldwide – and this figure is expected to increase by a further 20% by 2021? A reusable water bottle is essential if we are to...

  Have you or your employees ever used a public charging station to charge your phone when it runs out of battery? You might want to think twice next time.   Although it is not a widespread...

Happy to share this great article on why ‘Promotional Merchandise should be key to your Marketing Mix,’ to highlight the strength of our industry. Some of the great takeaways: In the UK alone, 8 out...

We absolutely love this clever little invention introduced by Air New Zealand – the edible coffee cup. Coffee and biscuit in one – genius!  There’s a good reason for innovations like this. In the...

  Has your company relied heavily on golf accessories as a promotional item for many years? It may be time to widen your promo portfolio to include a wider range of sports. It’s known that a...

  Did you know that 75% of people think that they’re not living up to their creative potential? If people are not given the opportunity to express their creativity, it can cause shifts in mood,...

The latest tech projections for 2030 in this report by Sky makes for very interesting reading for fans of tech. At number 10 lies ‘Personal flying transportation’. According to the article, many...

  Sleep is crucial. It’s just as important to the human body as eating, drinking and breathing and it helps maintain our mental and physical health. According to a study in the Journal of...

  Straws, plastic and cardboard cups and now beauty wipes. Slowly but surely, single use is becoming a buzzword for anti-social and unethical. Leading high-end department store Selfridges is...

Employee engagement, motivation, performance and productivity; all high agenda topics for the leadership in most organisations and businesses. It’s a complex area, with so many factors in play, but...

  Approximately 595 million pounds is spent on Valentine’s Day – and that’s only in the UK. It’s not just those with significant others that join in - Valentine’s Day has become one of the...

Consumers throw away the equivalent of the weight of the Empire State Building every year – and that’s just in North America. The fashion sector is worth approximately $1.4 billion, and it’s one of...

According to Business Insider, houseplant sales have almost doubled to $1.7 billion during the last 3 years, with millennials even being prepared to pay up to $200. So, what has caused this spike in...

  Statistics from mental health charity Mind show that approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. 1 in 6 people in England also report experiencing...

    Confectionery is a simple, often overlooked but powerful promotional tool that can be used for a range of uses such as events, conferences, corporate or seasonal gifts, and more. Our...

  According to LinkedIn Learning, creativity is one of the most in-demand skills in the world. Why not challenge yourself this February with these events designed to motivate you and maximise...

In fitness, the big trends are around group exercise, home exercise and mindfulness. Wellness is the buzzword, and it’s all about fitting fitness in around your life without the need to do hours of...

  Are you doing ‘Veganuary’? Or perhaps you’re one of the 600,000 vegans in the UK who have been following this diet for some time. There’s no question, Veganism is on the rise. The motivation...

Over the last few years, workspace trends have been changing. Technology has enabled more flexible working, which in turn leads to more flexible workspace arrangements. Shared workspaces, working...

  The politest day of the year, International Thank You day is approaching on January 11th.  But if you’re a company with a considerable number of employees, how do you say thank you in a way...

Only one third of the UK’s plastic food packaging is recycled and most of this comes from takeaways and lunches bought from supermarkets. Swapping out your plastic lunchbox or throwaway food...

According to a study by Unilever, a high number of consumers search for sustainable products and practices. Over 21% prefer to use brands with adequate sustainability credentials than those without....

The wearables market continues to grow, with Marketing Week recently reporting a projected increase of 27% next year. This includes smart watches, sports watches, smart clothing and head-worn...