# Branded Merchandise Brands outside the fashion industry dabble in apparel for exclusive launches. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Mar 16, 2018 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/branded-merchandise ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.7/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Branded Merchandise trend? **Branded Merchandise:** Brands are venturing into adjacent industries to create brand new products not typically associated with the brand’s heritage or legacy. As the hype for streetwear and concert merchandise becomes more mainstream, brands are taking note and getting into the game themselves. Creating their own distinct fashion lines and collaborating with actual designers, brands, most often in the food and beverage industry, are venturing outside their comfort zone in order to connect with consumers through products they can actually identify with. Such exclusive releases help redefine how these typically traditional brands are perceived, especially by younger audiences. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 5, 2017 to Mar 7, 2018 - Published: Mar 16, 2018 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Branded Merchandise trend ### Branded Food Merchandise Food and beverage brands are venturing into the fashion industry by creating their own fashion lines and collaborating with actual designers in order to connect with consumers through products they can actually identify with, redefining how they are perceived. ### Food-Themed Streetwear Fast food chains and snacks are getting into the lifestyle category with streetwear clothing collections inspired by their iconic offerings, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for fashion collaborations and exclusive releases. ### Monochromatic Graphic Tees Fashion brands are partnering with consumer brands to create graphic tees and hoodies that are bright, colorful and feature illustrations that pay homage to their beloved products, providing unique opportunities to explore quirky collaborations. ## What the Branded Merchandise trend means for industry ### For Food & Beverage The food and beverage industry is empowering its brand through fashion collaborations, creating brand new products with designs that are inspired by their iconic offerings. ### For Fashion Fashion is taking inspiration from surrounding industries. Collaborating with factories, artists, and designers to create unique and limited edition styles and products. ### For Consumer Goods Consumer brands are carefully selecting lifestyle items that align with the brand's image and are creating products that are new to the market, generating creative marketing opportunities through fashionable lifestyle items. ## Workshop question What adjacent industries can your brand tap into as a way to create exclusive experiences for your consumer? ## Trend signals for Branded Merchandise Trend score 4.7 out of 10, from popularity 67%, activity 65%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 67% - Activity: 65% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Branded Merchandise trend 6 featured examples from Jun 5, 2017 to Mar 7, 2018. - [Barbie Streetwear Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbiexmissguided): 'BarbiexMissguided' Introduces Empowering, Inspiring Apparel (Category: Marketing) Implication: Fashion retailers can capitalize on the demand for feminist streetwear by creating empowering clothing lines that resonate with young women. - [Beer-Branded Leisurewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bud-light-x-kibl): The Bud Light x KIBL Collection Debuted During London Fashion Week (Category: Fashion) Implication: The fashion industry can explore collaborations with beverage brands to create unique clothing collections. - [Retro Fast Food-Branded Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-and-beams): McDonald’s and BEAMS Released a Line of Big Mac Merchandise (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fast food chains can explore collaborations with fashion brands to create limited edition, high-end clothing and accessory lines that pay homage to their food items. - [Fast Food Loungewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdelivery-collection): The McDelivery Collection Promotes McDonald's Presence on UberEATS (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food delivery industry can benefit from partnering with QSRs to provide users with a wider range of food options and exclusive promotions. - [Ketchup Chip Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doritos-ketchup-drop): The 'Doritos Ketchup Drop' Includes Apparel Inspired by the Chip Flavor (Category: Fashion) Implication: Food brands can venture into fashion collaborations to tap into the streetwear market and build brand affinity. - [Colorful Cereal-Celebrating Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cereal-day): KITH Treats is Celebrating Cereal Day with Graphic T-Shirts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fashion retailers can take advantage of this trend by creating unique, themed collections that appeal to consumers who celebrate events/holidays. ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)