June 2, 2025

Why Merch Still Matters in a Digital-First World

Turns out the best cure for swipe fatigue is good old, hold-it-in-your-hands merch.

In a world of endless emails, algorithm updates, and back-to-back sponsored posts...how do you make your brand actually stick?

Marketers are feeling the pressure.

Digital spaces feel crowded, audiences are burnt out, and even the most perfectly timed post can get lost in the scroll. At the same time, people are starting to question their relationship with the internet. Gen Z are craving the simpler times Millennials experienced before smartphones and internet everywhere took off in the mid-2010s.

In response, they’re turning off notifications, buying “dumb” phones, and unplugging more often. All signs point to digital fatigue.

Enter a not-so-new, but surprisingly powerful marketing tool: branded merch.

While digital campaigns are still essential, the brands that are winning in 2025 are the ones combining digital strategy with physical touchpoints.

Want to know why merch still matters and how to use it to boost your next online campaign?

We got you.

Merch Cuts Through the Noise

With banner blindness and inbox overload at an all-time high, brands need new ways to stand out. That’s where tangible merch comes in.

Swag differentiates itself from another pop-up or push notification. It’s a physical item that sticks around, literally.

Unlike digital ads that disappear in seconds, 41% of people keep their promotional products for anywhere between 1 to 5 years. That’s a possible 5 years of brand impressions without having to spend a dollar more!

Whether it’s a limited-edition hoodie or a custom coffee tumbler, well-designed and intentional merch creates staying power in a way most digital content just can’t.

Swag Creates a Real Emotional Connection

There’s a reason people hold onto branded mugs, water bottles, or notebooks long after a campaign ends.

Physical items feel personal. You can touch them, use them, and associate them with an experience or emotion.

Psychologists call it the “Reciprocity Effect": when people receive something of value, they’re more likely to feel positively toward the giver. That feeling builds trust, and trust leads to action.

Whether you’re building brand loyalty, encouraging user engagement, or warming up leads, a thoughtful piece of merch can be the push people need to convert.

Merch Supercharges Your Digital Campaigns

Branded merchandise doesn’t have to compete with digital marketing—it can (and should!) actually enhance it.

Here’s how smart brands are using merch to power up their online efforts:

Influencer Giveaways

Ahead of a product launch, send out branded kits to your top creators and run limited merch giveaways to generate buzz and get people excited before the big reveal.

Social Contests

Offer exclusive merch drops to fans who submit UGC entries, leave reviews, or share campaign hashtags. These limited-run items can create FOMO and drive massive participation.

Campaign Freebies

Sweeten the deal during a product launch or seasonal promotion by including high-quality branded freebies. A great gift adds value and gives customers a reason to choose you over a competitor.

With merch and digital working together, you’re creating a multi-channel brand experience that goes way beyond a like or a click. When in doubt, double down!

Promo Products are Built for Social Sharing

Here’s a not-so-secret perk of great merch: people love to post about it.

From sleek tumblers to cheeky graphic tees, the right swag doesn’t just get used; it becomes part of your audience’s lifestyle and their feeds. When you give people something they’re proud to wear or show off, they’ll naturally share it. That’s free organic reach and authentic brand exposure.

Hot tip: Keep shareability in mind when designing your merch.

Stay on-brand, but prioritize pieces that look good, feel good, and align with your audience’s style. Case in point? Poppi, the hot new prebiotic soda brand, sent hot pink tracksuits to a bunch of influencers. These tracksuits hit all the marks: they were eye-catching, cashed in on the monochrome matching set trend, and were insanely practical. Who wouldn’t want to lounge in one?

The results spoke for themselves.

If Poppi wasn’t on your radar before, chances are it was after that pink sweatsuit popped up on your feed for the fifth time. When well considered, merch lets you sit back and watch as your followers do the marketing for you.

So, What’s The Bottom Line?

Digital isn’t going anywhere, but attention is getting harder to earn. As audiences look for more meaningful, less screen-heavy experiences, the pendulum is swinging back toward real-world experiences.

And it's here where merch wins.

It’s tactile. It’s memorable. And when it’s done right, it builds emotional connections that digital ads just can’t match. So whether you’re planning a product drop, running a campaign, or trying to make your brand more memorable, don’t just think in pixels.