Digital efforts may dominate the marketing mix, but the best brands making an impact in 2025 are going beyond digital. There is an increasing trend towards audiences wanting tangible, in real life connections — with each other and with the brands they support. This trend is precisely why custom branded swag can stand out with your audience.
It’s clear that merchandise today is more than just offering “trinkets and trash” to your audience. When merch integrates business strategy with forming emotional connections with your audience, it can reinforce your brand and build lasting impressions long after a digital ad is forgotten.
At Stran, we see it every day: smart, intentional swag works. Let’s break down the most common myths about swag to show branded merch is helping brands boost awareness, build loyalty, and drive behavior.
There’s a big difference between bad swag and good swag. Bad swag — like flimsy totes, awkward t-shirts, or plastic gadgets no one asked for — gets tossed.
But good swag? That’s what sticks with your audience.
According to ASI, 83% of consumers say they're more likely to do business with a brand that gave them a promotional product. Why does merch make such a difference? When a company invests in quality merch that resonates with its audience, it forms a more personal connection to the brand. This connection is even more positive — and more memorable — if the swag is useful enough to become part of your audience’s daily life.
We’ve seen custom promotional merchandise drive impact across industries:
Nonprofits use tote bags and apparel to offer volunteers a meaningful reminder of their organization.
Tech companies send onboarding kits with branded hoodies and custom tumblers to build remote team culture.
Healthcare providers use high-quality uniforms to build consistency across their network and leverage promo items to engage patients and spread health awareness.
Merch is more than stuff. It’s a way to build thoughtful, branded touchpoints that help people feel more connected to your brand.
Swag doesn’t just generate impressions — it earns them.
According to ASI, promotional products deliver an average of 3,400 impressions over their lifetime, beating every other form of advertising in recall and reach. Compare that to a fleeting digital ad, and the long-term value becomes clear.
Swag also builds recognition and drives results. 85% of people remember the brand on a promo item, and nearly 60% keep it for more than two years. One study even showed that branded merch creates 2.5 times more positive brand impressions than traditional ads.
And when brands pair the right product with the right moment — like a customized welcome kit, a leave-behind for a sales meeting, or a thank-you for loyal customers — swag becomes a strategic tool for conversion. In fact, companies that include branded merchandise in their customer retention programs report up to 18% higher close rates.
Branded merchandise has come a long way. Done well, it becomes an extension of your brand identity, helping you show what you stand for and what you sell.
We’ve seen forward-thinking brands get creative by offering eco-conscious collections to support sustainability efforts, wellness kits that boost internal morale, and campaign-driven apparel drops that align with moments like Black History Month or Pride.
The underlying theme with all of these programs? Intentional, innovative strategy.
Take Culture Pop, for example. They used custom merch as a key part of their retail launch strategy, creating buzz in the natural food space and reinforcing their fun, flavor-forward brand. On a very different scale, the U.S. Census relied on branded merchandise to reach diverse communities across the country. This program involved a curated group of items and Made in the USA sourcing to build trust and increase participation during one of the largest public outreach efforts in history.
When executed with intention and creativity, swag does more than check a box. It becomes a way to connect, engage, and show up with purpose — reinforcing your message in the moments that matter most.
Myth #4: “Swag Is Hard to Execute”
If you’re DIYing your branded swag, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There are literally millions of products to choose from, and so many options for customization.
But with the right team on your side, building a comprehensive merch program is easier than you’d think.
Our team knows brands, has decades of experience, and isn’t afraid to get creative on your behalf. We can support programs of all kinds, including:
Custom online stores so teams can select and ship their own swag
Pre-built kits for new hires, remote employees, or seasonal drops
Warehousing and fulfillment for programs of any size
API integrations to automate your rewards or gifting workflows
Complete event kits including signage, branded tradeshow giveaways, and more
Need drop shipping to five cities for an event? No problem. Want to spin up a Pride store or Giving Tuesday initiative? We’ll handle the product selection, decoration, and delivery.
We know the power of branded merch, and we believe getting the right product in the hands of your audience should be a seamless experience.
We get the concern — no one wants to hand out junk. But the idea that branded merch just ends up in the trash doesn’t hold up.
In reality, 63% of people keep promotional products for over a year, and 40% use them weekly or more. Why? Because when the item is thoughtful and relevant, people hold onto it.
Think of the phone stand that lives on your desk, the insulated tumbler that joins your daily commute, or the branded hoodie you actually want to wear on the weekend. These aren’t throwaways — they’re day-to-day staples.
Swag that sticks is swag that serves a purpose. And when you lead with utility and quality, your brand stays in the picture long after the event ends.
Sustainability, inclusivity, and social impact are increasingly important to buyers and brands alike. Fortunately, today’s swag selections can support these priority values.
We have many options for meeting sustainability and inclusivity goals, including:
Recycled and organic materials (think cotton tees, RPET backpacks, FSC-certified notebooks)
Biodegradable and minimal packaging
Carbon-neutral fulfillment options
Sourcing from Women-owned and underrepresented businesses
And that’s just considering the product. We’ve worked with nonprofits who use swag to spark conversation, raise funds, and generate awareness for important causes.
Sustainable swag isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for brand perception, too. It shows your audience that your values don’t stop at the mission statement.
Swag creates a real-world connection in a world that’s still overwhelmingly digital. Whether it’s a thoughtful corporate gift, a wear-everywhere hoodie, or a surprise moment at an event, great merch doesn’t just promote your brand. It becomes part of how people experience it.
And when it’s done right? It sticks around.
Branded merch is more than product. It’s strategy, storytelling, and real-life engagement — and we’re here to help you make the most of it.
Whether you need an end-to-end loyalty solution, a refreshed employee kit, or a one-time activation, we’ve got you covered:
Creative product curation and design
Sustainable and mission-aligned merch
Warehousing, kitting, and fulfillment
Custom online stores and program management
Print-on-demand and global shipping
Let’s make merch that moves people. Because in 2025, connection is currency — and swag is still one of your most powerful tools to earn it.
ASI Global Ad Impression Study, 2023
New PPAI Research Shows Why Consumers Take and Keep Promo Products
PPAI Consumer Study: Why Promo Clicks With Gen Z
The Effectiveness of Promotional Products
Final Report: Sustainability Surges in 2022 PPAI Sales Volume Estimate
PPAI Sales Volume Estimate: A Record Year, But Few Celebrating