Merch is an exceptional way to engage customers while promoting your brand. But the success of your merchandise is dependent on what your audience truly wants, so you should know what merchandise sells best. It’s important to tap into trends and find out what your customers prioritize so that your products can live on for a long time.
I wrote a bit more about the importance of branded merch here in case you need more convincing.
Need to Skim? Key Takeaways:
- Apparel, bags, and drinkware are popular merch options that allow for creative freedom and boost brand awareness.
- Market research is crucial because it’s one thing to select premium, desirable products; it’s another thing to make people want them.
- Prioritizing merch quality and utility results in products that leave a great impression and stay out of the garbage.
Table of Contents
Top Selling Merch Items
To make your life easier, I put together a list of 10 top-selling, customizable merch items to add to (or keep in) your inventory this year. We’re partnered with all of the brands below (plus hundreds more), so if you see something you like, we’ll make it happen. Let’s take a look at what merchandise sells best.
1. T-Shirts
T-shirts have withstood the test of time for good reason! Not only are t-shirts unisex wardrobe staples for the fashion-forward and old-fashioned consumers, they’re the perfect canvas for designs that spark conversations about your brand. We love UNRL’s classic yet stylish men’s tees and the chic, tailored details they add to their women’s tees.
2. Loungewear
We can thank the wave of hybrid work for normalizing loungewear as workwear. Comfortable yet classy clothing such as premium sweatshirts and joggers continues to grow in popularity and revenue. In fact, the loungewear market is expected to grow from $7.23 billion in 2024 to $15.87 billion by 2032. Beyond Yoga is one of our favorite partners in Zoom-approved loungewear like their versatile Commuter Joggers and unisex, elevated matching sets like the Fresh Cut Sweatpant and the Every Body Hoodie.
3. Tote Bags
A well-made tote bag is a budget friendly, easily customizable, and environmentally conscious way to represent your brand and appeal to customers. While encouraging people to ditch single-use plastic bags, your brand is on display everywhere the tote goes. Our partner, Baggu, makes innovative reusable bags that fold into themselves for convenient storage.
4. Stickers
Stickers are much cheaper and even more versatile merch options that can go just about anywhere, from laptops to water bottles, travel cases, and more. Stickers make great freebies or add-ons in your company store, or you can sell them as a pack to customers who want to show support on a tighter budget. With vendors like Stickerbeat, you can create vinyl stickers in any shape, color, or design.
5. Mugs
For many people, their day begins with a really good mug. By offering a premium selection of custom mugs in your store, your brand can become part of someone’s sacred morning ritual. For commuters, we love the Carter Move Mug and the Nest Mug. For those who enjoy their brew in the comfort of their kitchen, you can’t go wrong with a good old fashioned stackable ceramic mug.
6. Hats
A high quality hat is a prime example of functional fashion. It’s also one of those pieces that tends to stay in people’s closets for a long time, which I always say is the best way to be sustainable. You can’t go wrong with a classic beanie like the Carhartt Watch Cap, but don’t be afraid to lean into trends like this retro style flat bill hat by Decky.
7. Socks
Everybody wears ‘em, so why not make them fun? The novelty sock industry just keeps getting bigger, and it’s expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% over the next ten years. The playful nature of socks gives you boundless creative freedom. Check out how our partners Hedley & Bennett think outside the socks. (Get it?)
8. Water Bottles
Apparently hydration is the latest trend, with 60% of adults toting around their very own “emotional support water bottle.” By offering a custom reusable water bottle like this stainless steel hydrojug, you’re encouraging healthy habits while contributing to the eco-friendly effort to reduce plastic waste.
9. Backpacks
In today’s culture, backpacks are the new briefcase. Custom, premium backpacks serve as functional travel tools as well as effortless mobile advertisements. Some of our clients’ most coveted merchandise are the practical backpacks by Chrome Industries or the chic and versatile backpacks by Troubadour.
10. Notebooks/Journals
Note-taking never goes out of style, and pen-to-paper is making a comeback. Notebooks and journals promote creativity and the power of handwritten notes. Eco-friendly, premium stationary like this spiral notebook makes practical and easily customizable merch.
Hungry for more inspo? Explore our carefully curated lists of premium business gift ideas and corporate event merch.
What’s Essential for Great Merch?
It’s one thing to choose premium, desirable products. It’s another thing to make people want them. That’s why knowing what merchandise sells best is so important. Here are 4 things to keep in mind when choosing and marketing your merch (and don’t worry, Imprint Engine can help you with all of them):
Know Your Customer
Once we get a good idea of who your customers are and what’s important to them, we can better understand which products will resonate. For example, if people in your niche gravitate towards certain causes, interests, or necessities, we can curate products, brands, and styles that they are more likely to spend their hard-earned money on.
Quality
Quality is the difference between your awesome branded merch and all of the sh*tty tchotchkes on the market. By investing in higher quality, your products are less likely to end up in a landfill and are more likely to leave a lasting great impression. Read about how we control merch quality for global clients.
Market Trends
Having a pulse on market trends ensures your merch is relevant and coveted. Thankfully, we’ve got this step covered for you. In fact, this whole article is about current trends and what merchandise sells best. We’re pretty much experts of this particular craft.
Utility
We try hard to reduce the amount of junk circulating in the merch industry (that’s why we avoid using the term ‘swag’). We curate products that are as functional as they are fashionable and fun. Prioritizing utility is another safe way to keep your products out of the garbage.
Like How That Sounds? Let’s Get to Work
The best part about our job is creating brand experiences that foster connections. Your merch is a key part of that experience! Let’s get strategic about your product lineup this year. Let’s work together to figure out what merchandise sells best within your specific organization!
Schedule a discovery call by filling out this form!
We can’t wait to connect with you.