why all brands should sell merch
βThe Virgin Organic (the olive oil brand we're launching) is going to sell tees and a few other merch items.
Why?
We aren't trying to compete in the fashion / apparel industry or turn it into a huge revenue stream (at least not yet π) β we want to give our best customers a way to become ambassadors for the brand.

By offering shirts, it gives your fans a way to say "I support what these guys are doing" β beyond just buying the product.
It can create a closer relationship with your best customers.
It's like bands selling merch.
Metallica is not trying to become a leader in the apparel space ... they're giving fans a way to say "I like Metallica".

Creating merch for your brand can be a really fun thing to do β regardless of what you're selling.
It can also be a good way of measuring the resonance of your mission.
Our goal is to start a movement bigger than the product itself.
If strangers are buying our olive oil hats and shirts, it means we're doing something right.
Here are a few examples that come to mind from brands in my world:
- βLiquid Death (Water)
- βPerplexity (AI platform)
- βYeti (Coolers / Drinkware)
- βCommencal (Bikes)
- βGrillo's (Pickles, lol)
- βPBR (Beer)
- βSkool (Community Platform)
- βHey (Agency)
There are tons.
The weirder / more niche, the better.
Any others references come to mind? Send 'em my way!