Branded Merch Evolution: Five Trends Marketers Should Know

"Consumers don't want more products. They want better ones. Across the market, research shows that merch can drive strong emotional responses, increasing brand favorability and appreciation. But low-quality items don't just get ignored or tossed; it can actually weaken brand perception. Durability, design and material quality now determine whether a product is kept or discarded. Cultural values are on display with the products we choose, as Starbucks showed in a recent collab with Peanuts characters to promote kindness."

"One product that earns a place in someone's daily life is more valuable than dozens that don't. Therefore, I recommend you shift from quantity to relevance. Durability, design and material quality now determine whether a product is kept or discarded. Cultural values are on display with the products we choose, as Starbucks showed in a recent collab with Peanuts characters to promote kindness."

"Related to my first point, one of the biggest shifts in the game right now is toward retail-inspired design. Buyers are prioritizing products that feel like something they would purchase themselves. Think better fabrics, cleaner design and more thoughtful construction. Or co-branding with the likes of Nike, Patagonia and Yeti gear. The merch that works now comes off the display rack, not out of the bargain bin."

"The next time you're at an airport, look around at the kind of logoed items people wear or carry proudly. You see it especially in apparel, drinkware and tech. It's about inte"

Branded merchandise has often been treated as an afterthought, but consumer expectations are shifting toward higher value. Research indicates that well-made merch can trigger emotional responses that increase brand favorability and appreciation, while low-quality items can weaken brand perception. Durability, design, and material quality determine whether products are kept or discarded. Cultural values are reflected in the products people choose, such as a kindness-focused collaboration. A single product that fits daily life is more valuable than many that are ignored, so quantity should be replaced with relevance. Retail-inspired design is becoming the standard, with buyers favoring better fabrics, cleaner construction, and thoughtful co-branding.

Read at Forbes