Fans of the poutine chain Smoke's Poutinerie can now get their hands on some iconic merchandise thanks to the brand's new Smoke’s Swag Shop that features Canadian-themed classic tees, hoodies, plaides, hats, backpacks, and more -- all of which feature the brand's iconic logo of its animated founder Ryan Smolkin. Some notable pieces from the collection include a red checkered tube top and the 'Cheese 'N Gravy' shirt.
“Our Fans know how WACKED OUT we can be, and Smoke’s Swag Shop is no exception! We have created a Rock N’ Roll shrine of totally awesome gear our Fans will crave,” said Ryan Smolkin, CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) of Smoke’s Poutinerie. “Smoke’s Poutinerie has never been just about Poutine, it’s a LIFESTYLE, it’s an EXPERIENCE and it’s all about ENTERTAINMENT!”
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Branded Merchandise
- The trend of offering branded merchandise is growing among restaurants, providing an opportunity to build a lifestyle and experience around a brand beyond the food offered.
- Fan Culture
- As brands explore fan culture in order to enhance engagement with their customers, there is significant demand for unique and creative merchandise that give fans something they can't get anywhere else.
- Nostalgia-inspired Apparel
- Poutine-branded merchandise taps into customers' nostalgia for classic Canadian imagery, suggesting opportunities for brands to create new products that play off their logo or company history for a unique merchandise experience.
Where This Applies
- Restaurants
- The food industry can expand their brand and broaden the appeal of their restaurants by introducing branded merchandise that highlights their brand and creates a unique dining experience that goes beyond the meal.
- Fashion Retail
- As fan culture and nostalgia-based branding continue to grow, fashion retailers can capitalize on this trend and create unique products that appeal to customers' emotional attachment to a brand or product.
- Entertainment
- Poutine-branded merchandise gives an opportunity for entertainment brands to create a new revenue stream by using their intellectual property in a unique way that engages their fan base, but should explore more creative designs that go beyond the company's logo.
