Top 10 Reasons YOU Need A Branded Uniform Program
What's one surprising way businesses can build their brand, enhance their professionalism and offer a great hiring perk? It's easier than you think: Incorporate a branded uniform program.
“A few years back, a national survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates for the textile service industry found that customers are more inclined to do business with employees who wear uniforms because they stood out as professionals and were seen as being more competent and knowledgeable,” says Adam Soreff, Director of Marketing at UniFirst, a North American provider of uniforms and workwear. “Those survey results hold true today and can translate into real bottom-line benefits for those companies choosing a managed uniform program for their employees.”
So how can your company benefit from incorporating a branded uniform program? Check out these 10 ways—and see the on-trend garments that you can incorporate into your own program today:
1. Create An Attractive Business Image
Whether right or wrong, people are judged by their appearance and attire. By incorporating an employee uniform program, you can quickly establish a professional business image that attracts and helps retain customers.
Depending on your brand and clientele, a professional image can be defined in a number of ways. Very corporate brands may opt toward jackets and tailored oxford shirts with ties or scarves. Casual brands could go for sporty polo shirts. These crisp Harriton Long-Sleeve Denim Shirts are offered in both men’s and women’s styles, giving them a universal appeal that's relatable to just about everyone. No matter how you define your brand style, there are garments available to create a branded uniform program that is uniquely yours.
2. Promote Your Company And Brand
Employees are an extension of your company. So when they wear branded apparel displaying your corporate logos and colors, they further extend your brand by giving it a physical presence all the while helping to differentiate your business within the markets you serve.
Twill shirts make a great option for showcasing your brand because, depending on the other garments worn, their styling can lean toward the casual (when paired with dark denim jeans, for example) or dressier (when worn with slacks or a skirt). The Port Authority SuperPro Twill Shirt has a men’s and a ladies’ fit, and there are also short-sleeve and long-sleeve options to align with climate and seasons, keeping wearers comfortable all year long.
3. Advertise For Free
Not only are branded uniforms worn on the job, but they're also worn to and from work. Wherever employees go prior to arriving at the office, during lunch and on the way home, they become walking billboards that promote your products and services.
Jackets are a great option to include in branded uniform programs, especially in urban settings where employees walk or take public transportation. Garments that have retailed-inspired styling such as the Devon & Jones Briston Full-Zip Sweater Fleece Jacket are sure to get brands noticed.
This popular silhouette is constructed of 100% anti-pill polyester sweater fleece and features cover-stitch details throughout, stretch binding at the neck, an inside storm placket with chin guard and brushed tricot-lined pockets with coil zippers. See how awesome it is for yourself. The men’s fit is here and the ladies’ style is here.
4. Protect Workers
In addition to branding and promotional benefits, branded uniforms can also deliver functional benefits such as wearer safety. For example, flame resistant (FR) workwear can help prevent injuries caused by accidental electrical arc flashes or flash fires, and high-visibility uniforms can help protect workers from being struck by motorized vehicles.
This Red Kap Hi-Visibility Soft Shell Jacket is one option that combines a fluorescent body color with reflective taping to achieve high visibility for safety. In addition to a durable water-repellent finish, it features a fleece lining, stand-up collar, full-zip front with zipper garage, hemmed cuffs with adjustable snaps, a chest pocket and two front pockets.
5. Improve Security
Another functional benefit is security. Company uniforms that feature specific styles or colors make it easy to quickly identify who does or does not belong in specific work areas or on job sites.
These hard-working Port Authority SuperPro React Twill Shirts are built to withstand the wear and tear of any tough job. The wrinkle-resistant cotton/poly blend fabric has a stain-release finish that’s equally soft and smooth to give a polished look that's comfortable enough for year-round wear. The ultimate in professional performance, the React Twill shirts are available in both men’s and ladies’ styles.
There are also men’s long-sleeve and women’s long-sleeve options as well as coordinating men’s and women’s polo shirts, giving you everything you need for a branded corporate apparel program.
6. Keep Workers Clean
Aprons are one of the most common accessories to any branded uniform program for those in the restaurant and hospitality industries, but they're also super handy for hardware stores, garden centers, art institutes, preschools and anywhere employees need an extra bit of protection from getting their main uniform dirty.
This Artisan Reprime Denim Waist Apron will keep employees looking tidy all shift long. It’s durable, versatile and on-trend with its wide center pocket with reverse contrast trim, combined pen pocket, metal eyelets and contrast fabric ties.
7. Foster Team Spirit
Work uniforms promote a sense of team spirit, which can boost worker productivity. Incorporate them into an employee onboarding program to instill an immediate sense of belonging.
These Greg Norman Spinner Print Polos are an updated take on a classic golf shirt. Constructed of soft and lightweight moisture-wicking fabric, these golf shirts feature a unique pattern that adds a touch of sophistication along with the retail brand recognition for added value. Choose either men’s or women’s styles for the perfect fit.
8. Employee Benefit
Having a branded uniform program is a great hiring perk, as employees appreciate the fact that they don't have to worry about what to wear each morning—and they have more disposable income because a portion of their paycheck isn't going to their work attire.
These stain-release finish, odor-fighting, wrinkle-resistant, shrink-resistant, moisture-wicking, easy-care performance polo shirts would be welcome by employees in restaurants, childcare facilities, home improvement and gardening centers, automotive retailers and any other business where team members may be working in a hot and/or potentially dirty environment. Check out the ladies’ style here and the tall men’s style here.
9. Improve Customer Service
For companies that have direct customer contact, branded uniforms help customers immediately identify company representatives who can be approached for purchasing information or help. This improves customer service and the overall buying experience.
The Barbados Textured Camp Shirts in men’s and women’s styles offer a modern take on the conventional camp shirt. Sand-washed for softness, this streamlined style offers a special shadow weave. Plus, it performs by maintaining a wrinkle-free appearance that lasts long beyond workers’ shifts.
10. Promote Company Pride
Work uniforms help instill a sense of pride and responsibility and can convert employees into “brand ambassadors” outside the actual workplace.
But the only way to build these kind of brand ambassadors is to choose garments that are of high quality, fit well for both men and women, and are on-trend stylistically. Building a branded uniform program around these elements + tying-in the logoed apparel to your brand aesthetic goes a long way toward creating a culture where employees thrive.
Designing Your Custom Branded Uniform Program
A managed workwear program that incorporates polo shirts, dress shirts, work shirts, outerwear and more can produce vast image-enhancing results that are important to telling your brand story.
Love one of the products above? Curious about what other options are available? Want to learn more about designing a custom uniform program?
Let's chat. Drop a line at hello@corporatespecialtes.com or book an appointment at https://meetings.hubspot.com/corpspec/chat-about-swag to learn how our concierge service can go to work for you building a custom branded uniform program that will not only meet your marketing goals but that employees will also love. It is totally possible. Let us show you how!