One LA Lakers fan is fighting back against the NBA’s bizarre China controversy by starting a GoFundMe campaign for T-shirts that say “Stand With Hong Kong,” which he wants to hand out before the Lakers-Clippers game on Oct. 22. Sun Lared, the campaign’s founder, set an initial goal of $20,000 for the shirts. He’s already hit $40,000 in donations…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
Slayer’s Retirement Plan Is to Become a Lifestyle Brand
Metal pioneers Slayer are in the final stages of a farewell tour that’s already seen the band move $10 million in merch. Where the story gets really interesting, though, is Slayer’s real-time transition from a working band to what its merchandising people are calling a “legacy” band. And also the idea of a Slayer-themed restaurant in the style of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand…
Read MoreBella+Canvas Introduces Direct-to-Consumer Retail Channel
Bella+Canvas announced that it launched a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. Previously, Bella+Canvas apparel was only available via wholesale channels, but now end-buyers can directly purchase blank men’s and women’s styles from a curated assortment of products. The company said it will start online, but plans to open pop-up physical stores starting next year…
Read MoreDisney Triples Down on ‘Star Wars’ Branded Merchandise for ‘Force Friday’
Disney has never been shy when it comes to self promotion. There’s a reason everyone wore watches with Mickey Mouse on them for decades. Now that the Star Wars franchise is down with the Mouse, we’re not only seeing a lot more content than when George Lucas was solely in charge, but also a corresponding…
Read MoreInstagram’s New Selling Feature Reminds Users When Merch Drops Happen
The hype beast market for exclusive merchandise drops, made popular by the likes of Supreme, is growing. Social media is the primary way fans find out about these blink-and-you’ll-miss-it drops, too. So, Instagram’s (read: Facebook’s) decision to let brands notify people of their incoming drops is a logical next step in the modern apparel and…
Read MoreGenumark Acquires Rightsleeve as Its Founders Focus on commonsku
Genumark, Toronto, announced that it has acquired Rightsleeve to strengthen its position in the Canadian branded merchandise market. “Although both companies are based in Toronto, there is virtually no overlap in client accounts,” said Mark Freed, president and CEO of Genumark. “What we do share is a similar philosophy and business orientation, which focuses on…
Read MoreAlaska Airlines, SFO Airport Join Fight Against Single-Use Bottles
Having a reusable water bottle is the future, whether you’re ready for it or not. Thanks to college campuses and national parks, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get your…
Read MoreApparel Companies Fight Amazon Over Counterfeit Products
Just like it has for just about every other industry under the sun, Amazon has disrupted the apparel marketplace by implementing its own lines of clothing, features and manufacturing processes. But third-party apparel sellers are still causing Amazon some headaches, especially as counterfeit products slip through the cracks. This is something we’ve seen at similarly…
Read MoreWill Smith’s Fresh Prince Merch and Apparel Line Is Kind of Genius
Will Smith is one of those guys who seems to have transcended humanity and become a cultural institution. He’s made hit TV shows, chart-topping albums and summer blockbusters, and even worked as a genie that one time. Still, Smith is probably best known for “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” which is how most people…
Read MoreCheck Out This New Wearable Tech That’s Powered by Sweat and Screen-Printed Right Onto Material
Scientists from the Université Grenoble Alpes in France and U.C. San Diego developed a way to create stretchable, flexible wearable technology that uses compounds present in human sweat to power it. The material is made up of carbon nanotubes connected by stretchable components screen-printed onto the material…
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