The climate of the Flag business
Whenever there is a global conflict involving the United States of America, I start planning and asking myself the question: How is this going to affect flag sales? Such was the case when I first learned of the Venezuelan invasion.
Ukraine War of 2022
In 2022, when the U.S. aided Ukraine during the Russian Invasion, Americans were in high regard and viewed as heroes by many around the world. To meet the surge in demand for support, Flag and Banner’s Miami office had heaps of yellow and blue fabric on the sewing tables, to fulfill all the US and Ukraine flag orders.
Venezuelan coup of 2026
Over the weekend, when I heard of the ousting and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, I asked myself again, How is this going to affect flag sales? And I texted my staff and told them to be ready on Monday.
The start of the week was brisk, but not like the Ukraine War brisk. Just a slight uptick, which was quickly squelched by the ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
The ICE Shooting in the United States
News of an unarmed, 35-year-old mother, being shot in her car as she was driving away has brought a dark cloud over the flag business. The brisk flag sales, from the beginning of the week, are gone. No one feels proud or eager to boast.
Since the last Presidential election, flag sales for most dealers have remained flat. People from across the board, unless you’re a billionaire, are nervous. And when people are nervous, they hold on to their money.
This slowdown isn’t limited to our direct-to-consumer business. It’s true in our B2B flag sales as well. Since COVID, and with the constant news of crowd shootings, festivals and large gatherings have become fewer (with the notable exception of football—Go Bills!). Fewer events mean fewer ordering opportunities.
America’s 250 Semiquicentennial Celebration and Anniversary.
But I can tell you some GOOD NEWS!
Everyone is excited and celebrating America’s 250th year. We are selling strong across all our styles, and even have a limited-edition Betsy Ross design that won’t last long.
About the Author
Kerry McCoy founded FlagandBanner.com in 1975 with just $400 and a dream, building it from door-to-door flag sales into a multi-million dollar enterprise. With over five decades in the American flag and banner business, her insights into patriotic trends and flag sales patterns come from serving customers nationwide during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Kerry is also the host of “Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy” radio show and continues expanding her business empire through Kerry McCoy Enterprises while sharing the entrepreneurial wisdom gained from decades of building the American dream.
