Punch the monkey and his stuffed orangutan toy are taking over Etsy, Amazon, and Ikea with merch

"Punch captured hearts around the world after a viral post showed him hugging a stuffed orangutan toy after being rejected by other monkeys. Now, the young Japanese macaque and his stuffed friend are available as everything from toys on Etsy to children's books on Amazon, with an official Punch Monkey store offering stickers, shirts, and mugs."

"Some of the merchandise even contains hopeful sayings, like "Small, but brave," alongside imagery of the pair. In fact, the original plush orangutan doll is available for $19.99, as it's one of the Djungelskog soft toys from Ikea. The Swedish retailer has gone so far as to make an advertisement based on Punch and shared to its social channels."

Punch, a young Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo, gained international attention through a viral video showing him hugging a stuffed orangutan toy after rejection by other monkeys. This heartwarming moment quickly became commoditized, with merchandise appearing across numerous platforms including Etsy, Amazon, and an official Punch Monkey store. Products range from toys and children's books to clothing and mugs, many featuring inspirational messages like "Small, but brave." The original plush toy is an IKEA Djungelskog soft toy priced at $19.99. IKEA capitalized on the trend by creating advertisements featuring Punch and sharing them across social media channels.

Read at Fast Company