Adding to the ever-growing list of pandemic-related supply chain headaches, cotton prices on Monday jumped to $1.05 per pound. That’s an 18% increase since Sept. 20 and a 35% increase on the year. It’s also the highest price per pound for cotton since November 2011. A combination of factors is driving these price increases…
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2021 Top Distributors: How BAMKO Nearly Doubled Sales While Facing Pandemic ‘Pressure Test’
As part of our 2021 Top Distributors list, we asked some of the top-ranked distributors about how they fared during the first year of the pandemic, their thoughts on the industry, their future plans and more. Here, we talked to Joshua White of BAMKO, the No. 9 company on this year’s list…
Read MoreArby’s Released Sweats That Were Smoked by BBQ Pitmasters
To coincide with the release of its new Country Style Rib Sandwich, Arby’s is releasing a line of sweatpants and sweatshirts that were actually smoked just like the meat and then vacuum sealed so they’ll still smell liked smoked meats when you wear them. The limited line is (of course) sold out…
Read MoreDave & Buster’s Dropped a 40 Ft. Branded Banana on the Street to Show How Big Their TV Screens Are
Dave & Buster’s, trying to make sure that we all understand just how huge their “Wow Wall” 40-foot TV screens are, took the “banana for scale” meme to new levels by placing a giant, branded, inflatable banana on Hollywood Boulevard. There’s also a virtual component for those outside of Los Angeles…
Read MoreYear-End and Holiday Promotions: Tips, Product Ideas and Advice From Suppliers
Nick Lateur, director of national accounts for specialty brands at HPG Brands, said that the best time to start thinking about year-end and holiday gifts would have been “like, a month ago.” That’s true—but there’s still time if you act fast and know what’s selling. Here are some ideas for year-end and holiday promotions…
Read MoreH&M to ‘Challenge’ the Branded Merchandise Market Via ‘Creator Studio,’ On-Demand Printing
Creator Studio, a new project by H&M, will first work with musical artists to run merchandise stores. The company will lean on its supply chain and global network, as well as its significant on-demand printing capabilities, to “challenge the market of branded merchandise around the world”…
Read MoreMerch by Amazon Sellers Say the Platform Is Full of Scammers Stealing Designs
Merch by Amazon, the tech giant’s print-on-demand merchandise platform that, among other things, allows approved artists to upload their own designs, has a scam problem. The platform has reportedly become rife with scammers downloading other people’s designs and selling them as their own work…
Read MoreNew NHL Jerseys Feature 50% Recycled Material and ‘Dimensional Embroidery’
In an effort to make this upcoming season a little more eco-friendly, the NHL announced a league-wide jersey change to Adidas ADIZERO Primegreen sweaters, which are made with a minimum 50% recycled material. They also feature a decoration technique called “dimensional embroidery.”
Read MoreFord Is Making Merchandise Moves as It Looks to Expand Into Lifestyle Brand
Ford, following in the footsteps of Ferrari, is increasing its non-automotive merchandise in an effort to create a wider ranging brand. The company just hired Alexandra Ford English, great-great granddaughter of Henry Ford, to the newly-created position of global brand merchandising director…
Read MorePromo Company Allegedly Tricked Businesses Into Sponsoring High School Football T-shirts (and Pocketed the Money)
Shenendehowa High School athletic director Chris Culnan received two boxes of promotional T-shirts with the instructions to throw them into the crowd at football games and read the names of local businesses who sponsored the shirts. Culnan, however, had no idea the shirts were coming. He didn’t order them…
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