Branded merchandise is any item that has a company’s name or logo on it. It promotes a brand’s message and attracts potential customers.
Types of Merchandise
- Convenience goods like food or hygiene items
- Impulse goods that are inexpensive extras people buy when grocery shopping
- Specialized high-end products like cars
- Promotional items given away as freebies to customers
Popular Branded Items and Marketing Strategies
The most common branded merchandise items are apparel such as t-shirts, hats, jackets; and collectibles like mugs, pens, and keychains. Companies use branded merchandise for marketing to increase brand awareness, reach customers, and drive sales.
- Pick useful items people will use often to display the brand, like t-shirts or water bottles.
- Price branded merchandise reasonably so people will buy it.
Branded merchandise should reach a wide audience and keep the brand top of mind.
Branding and Merchandise
A branded product has the manufacturer’s label on it.
- Merchandise branding is the process of branding your merchandise—printing your logo on items.
- Clothing and portable items work best for building brand awareness.
Promotional merchandise is a cost-effective way to promote a business, ensuring that clients remember the brand when they need something in the future.
Brand Building Strategies
Key areas when creating a brand are:
- Consistency
- Differentiation
- Creativity
- Emotional connection
Monitoring the brand is crucial for maintaining its health. Branded items evoke emotions, foster brand loyalty, and encourage repeat business. It is important for a brand to be legally registered for authenticity.