It’s widely believed that merchandise first gained popularity thanks to the rock scene of the 1960s. Back then, bands created branded t-shirts for their fans. As branding evolved, the concept made its way into corporate culture. Today, merch is a tool for increasing brand awareness, boosting loyalty among both employees and clients, and strengthening the company’s HR brand. Below are the top 9 corporate merch trends.

Trend #1. Collaborations

Collaborations bring together the audiences of two brands, boosting visibility and driving sales. They’re a great way to reach a new target audience that may not be familiar with your company yet. For example, a tech company could team up with a coffee shop popular among freelancers to release branded reusable cups. Collabs work especially well because they often come in limited editions — people love owning exclusive items.

McDonald's x Crocs
McDonald’s partnered with Crocs to create a playful collection. The designers kept the signature clog silhouette and added McDonald's elements like food-themed charms, brand mascots (Birdie, Grimace, and Hamburglar), and golden arches on a red pair — an unmistakable nod to the fast-food giant.

Mercedes x ANCHOR INC.
The German automaker teamed up with Japanese IT company ANCHOR INC. for a stylish, minimalist merch collection. Having been long-time business partners, the brands used merch as a way to visually solidify their collaboration.

Trend #2. Minimalism

Minimalist items are timeless and look premium. In merch production, minimalism also saves on print costs — many brands just add a logo. But if your company isn’t yet a well-known industry giant, people may not want to wear your logo just for the sake of it. Think creatively about how your visual identity can be adapted to fit this trend.

Tesla
Tesla merch often features just the logo or name. Fans are drawn to it due to the brand's tech-driven philosophy and media presence.

Trend #3. Nostalgia

This trend taps into the emotional power of retro visuals. It works especially well for brands with a long history or those whose audience shares a similar age group — nostalgic images from childhood can create a strong emotional response.

Microsoft
Microsoft released a nostalgic merch line inspired by old versions of Windows. The collection features Windows XP wallpapers and the iconic Paint icon. The soft pastel palette further evokes the early 2000s.

Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola created t-shirts with old advertising posters. To enhance the vintage feel, designers made the prints look faded, as if the shirts had been worn already — a simple yet effective way to emphasize the brand’s century-long history.

Kodak
A double trend: collaboration + vintage. To celebrate 25 years of partnership with production studio Company 3, Kodak released an internal merch collection for employees and select clients. The designs feature Kodak’s retro logo (reintroduced in 2016) and warmer brand colors to evoke a 2000s aesthetic. The photoshoot used analog film to enhance the nostalgic vibe.

Trend #4. Concept-Driven Merch

Conceptual merch reflects the brand’s values, ideas, or social initiatives. Instead of large logos, the focus is on visual storytelling with deeper meaning.

Trend #5. Mascots

Mascots are powerful branding tools that help boost recognition and emotional connection. If your company has a character your audience loves, turning it into merch is a great move.

Duolingo
Duolingo’s owl has become a viral meme, and the company fully embraces it. The store features t-shirts, caps, pins, and even quirky masks. Just make sure to choose pickup — you don’t want the owl knowing your home address.

Trend #6. Gradients

Gradients are eye-catching but tricky to execute. Digital designs must have smooth color transitions, and printing on fabric or paper can distort the result. This trend is best for those willing to invest in production testing — or risk a surprise outcome.

Adobe
Adobe, known for its design software, released a bright gradient bucket hat that creatively reflects its brand and specialty.

Trend #7. Sustainability

Eco-friendly merch helps communicate your brand’s commitment to sustainability. It also opens up creative possibilities through the use of alternative and recycled materials.

Trend #8. AI-Generated Design

It seems AI-generated design is here to stay — and that’s a good thing. Designers can hand off routine tasks to neural networks and focus on more meaningful, story-driven projects that need a human touch.

Conclusion

Corporate merch is no longer just a tool for brand recognition — it has evolved into a meaningful element of company culture and strategy. Trends like collaborations, minimalism, mascots, gradients, and eco-conscious materials allow companies to communicate their values and innovation in a creative, tangible way. Meanwhile, AI and other technologies enable the creation of efficient, high-impact designs that resonate with both employees and customers. Corporate merchandise has become a true bridge between branding and emotion.