January 13, 2025
Our 2025 Guide to The Top Branded Merch Trends
Ready to make 2025 your brand’s best year yet?
Take a deep breath. Do you feel that? That's the feeling of a clean slate!
You can't deny the freshness of a brand new 365 days, whether that starts on January 1st or any other day of the year.
With a new year comes new ideas, trends, and ways of living. Based on our research and observations, 2025's trends go beyond basic to offer something extraordinary.
From eco-living to exciting unboxing experiences and exclusive collabs, branded merch is transforming in ways that excite clients, customers and corporate communities.
These trends provide the perfect roadmap for strengthening customer loyalty, inspiring your team, and making your brand stand out.
You in?


Retail-Inspired Branding
Remember the 1990s and early 2000s, when in-your-face logos were the rage? (Also the era of frosted tips, RIP.)
Well, we're happy to announce that the focus for 2025 is on understated elegance. Currently typing with our pinkies up.
Minimalist branding – think embroidered, debossed logos, and tone-on-tone – is taking centre stage.
Subtle branding appeals to younger generations who lean towards more versatile designs. This shift offers a bold contrast to the loud styles of the past and gives your merch a much higher chance of being loved and used for years. (One more point for sustainability!)
Retail-inspired designs are also making waves, highlighting people's desire for high-quality products. Swiss Chalet’s retro merch line, for example, blends vintage vibes with subtle logos and thoughtful design.
Collections like these give less "generic branded merch" and more "Where'd you get that?"
Combining subtle logos with cool artwork makes these collections timeless while keeping your brand relevant and memorable.


Sustainability Stays
This new year, sustainability continues to set the tone for merch.
A 2023 Harvard Business Review report reveals that Gen Z and Millennial customers are 27% more likely than older generations to support brands they see as socially and environmentally responsible.
A greener approach pushes brands to rethink their merch from the ground up, encouraging fresh thinking and endless possibilities!
It's smart to focus on products made from recycled fabrics, biodegradable plastics, and upcycled parts. Brands are also prioritizing sustainable production: think carbon-neutral manufacturing and waterless printing methods.
Third-party certifications, like Fair Trade and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), are also becoming important ways for merch to stand out. These certifications let buyers know that their purchases meet high environmental and ethical standards.
Choosing sustainable swag shows your brand cares about a greener future – a message that deeply connects with today’s eco-friendly audiences.
Interested but need help figuring out where to start? Check out Eco Blvd, our all-in-one stop for promoting with purpose!


A New Era of Work
In 2025, the workplace will be more flexible than ever, with hybrid and remote setups becoming the norm.
This shift has transformed how companies engage employees and keep strong team connections. Branded merch helps build unity, boost morale, and make remote employees feel like valued team members.
One way to bridge the physical distance is through curated unboxing experiences.
These kits create moments of excitement, connection, and appreciation, helping your brand stand out while reinforcing its culture.
Here are some examples of unboxing experiences that can inspire and engage your workforce (even beyond work hours!):
- New Hire Welcome Kits Set the tone for a positive onboarding experience with branded essentials like notebooks, desk organizers, and a company-branded hoodie or t-shirt. Add a personal welcome note and include any key resources or training materials.
- Wellness Kits Let your employees know you prioritize their well-being with kits featuring branded yoga mats, stress balls, herbal teas, essential oils, and journals. Pair these with access to virtual fitness or meditation sessions to promote a healthy work-life balance.
- Team-Building Kits Encourage team bonding with kits for shared virtual experiences, like DIY cocktails or cooking classes. To get everyone involved, include branded aprons, recipe cards, and ingredient lists!
These experiences enhance morale and strengthen team connections in a spread-out workforce.


Two is Better Than One: Teaming Up for Success
Quality over quantity. That’s the mantra for the new year.
Enter: co-branded collections.
These partnerships bring together trusted brands to create standout, high-quality merch that resonates with customers.
Why does it work? Partnering with established, well-known brands ensures a level of quality and reliability that customers value. When your merchandise features a recognizable and respected name, it automatically gains credibility and appeal.
Take, for example, collaborations with premium brands like Moleskine, Klean Kanteen or Stormtech. A notebook, water bottle, or jacket from these companies isn’t just a product—it’s a statement of quality and utility. By aligning your brand with such trusted names, you create a tangible connection to excellence and practicality that customers love.
When you offer co-branded items from respected manufacturers, your merch transforms from a simple giveaway to a sought-after, quality-driven product that people actively want to use. High-quality, brand-name items elevate your merchandise and ensure your brand is associated with lasting value and trust.
Today’s customers want products they recognize and trust, and co-branded merch with reputable brands delivers exactly that.
Bonus Trend: Simplify and Streamline
As you plan for the year ahead, one trend we’re loving is the push toward simplifying your task list. With so much on your plate, finding ways to work smarter—not harder—makes all the difference.
That’s where working with an agency like Brand Blvd comes in. Whether you need help selecting the perfect merch, creating custom designs, or building a complete solution like an online store, we’ve got you covered. We handle the details so you can focus on the bigger picture.
From idea to delivery, Brand Blvd turns your vision into reality—seamlessly and stress-free.
Your Next Chapter in Swag Starts Now!
The trends shaping 2025 prove that branded merch is more than just a marketing tool; it’s a way to connect, inspire, and stand out.
From embracing greener choices to tapping into exclusivity, there’s a strategy here for every brand looking to make an impact. Whether you're diving into wellness products, minimalist designs, or cutting-edge tech, the possibilities are endless.
Don’t wait to level up – your audience is ready for something extraordinary.
Make this year the one where your merch truly matters!
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