The U.S. and China reportedly agreed to remove additional tariffs in phases, but only after the respective countries’ leaders sign an interim deal. That part is still being worked on, but Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said China and the U.S. held “extensive and serious discussions” over the past two weeks…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
Under Armour Confirms It’s Under Federal Investigation for Accounting Practices
Under Armour confirmed to the Baltimore Sun this week that its accounting practices are currently under federal investigation. The company has reportedly been cooperating with the investigation since 2017. The SEC and Justice Department are currently looking into whether the company manipulated its sales figures…
Read MoreTeespring Launches Custom Online Stores in Significant Expansion of Merch Capabilities
Teespring is getting further in on the e-commerce game through the launch of its Branded Stores, which allow users to create personalized web stores to sell merchandise online. The storefronts can be customized to users’ liking, from product assortment to layout to URL, and even offer customized packaging…
Read More4 Things to Remember for Holiday and Seasonal Promotions
Doesn’t it feel like a moment ago we were all yelling, “Happy new year!” and then we blinked and it was November? Whether you realize it or not, the holiday season is here. And, for distributors who have tried their best to deny the changing of the season, there’s still time to get in on holiday and seasonal promotions…
Read MoreHere’s What Top Democratic Presidential Candidates Spent on Election Merch So Far
The money candidates spend on merchandise accomplishes a lot more than just getting their names out there. And they have been spending a lot of money this go-around. CBS News put together a report of some of the Democratic candidates’ spending from this year. It found that…
Read MoreHow the Trump Campaign Is Using Steady Merch Sales to Get Valuable Voter Data
The Trump Campaign is using its merchandise sales for much more than just raising funds. It’s using the data it gleans from the sale of Trump-branded merchandise to measure its outreach to new donors, and therefore get a picture for its growing or shrinking appeal among otherwise uncommitted voters…
Read MoreStouse LLC Acquires Magna-Plus Inc.
Stouse LLC, New Century, Kan., announced today that it has acquired Magna-Plus Inc., a provider of custom labels, magnets and other promotional products. The acquisition was effective on Oct. 25. Kansas City, Kansas-based Magna-Plus Inc. was founded in 1993 by Marianne D’Amato and Tom Eaton. It now has a nationwide distributor customer base. “We are…
Read MoreDisney Has Some Cool New Dia De Los Muertos Merchandise at Epcot
Disney has been crushing it with heritage themes in movies lately, with instant classics like “Moana” and “Coco.” So, it makes sense that the attention to detail it uses for its flicks would carry over into the merchandise at its theme parks, like the Dia de Los Muertos items it rolled out for the Mexico pavilion in Epcot this week…
Read MorePPAI Responds to Senator’s SWAG Bill
Following the news of Iowa Senator Jodi Ernst’s SWAG Act, a proposed bill that would prohibit government entities from using taxpayer dollars for advertising (including buying promotional products), PPAI sent out a statement to the industry urging them to voice their opposition. “While it might be tempting to limit the purchase of promotional products in…
Read MoreNCAA’s Move to Let Athletes Make Money From Their Names and Images Could Mean More Merch Opportunity
The NCAA is finally going to let student-athletes to profit off of their names and images being used in profitable ventures. Do you remember the old NCAA football video games, where you’d have to play as QB No. 3 even though you knew darn well that it was Arnaz Battle? Or you’d buy a Maryland…
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