The Backpack: Issue 41

You missed it: This $665 tote bag has sold out.

What do you get when you cross the most stylish Formula 1 race car driver (Lewis Hamilton) with one of London’s most prestigious designers? This insanely luxe upcycled merch collection. RÆBURN introduced some stylish sustainable fits, but here’s the genius idea that made the lowly tote bag a $665 grail: Upcycled team racing suits. “RÆBURN has undertaken a meticulous deconstruction process of race-worn Formula 1 Nomex® suits from Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and their mechanics, with each suit being carefully disassembled and reimagined.” They upcycled racing suits into totes, hoodies, t-shirts, jackets ($1,700) and backpacks ($1,250) too. Describing themselves as an “innovative and responsible fashion design” company, Raeburn creates collabs like this Peanuts collab and this staff uniform project  (they take some heat too). Backpacker approved!

Maybe branding guidelines should be broken?

Is this a new precedent? Coca-Cola created its original logo in 1885. Over the next 140 years, it would change about ten times. But in mini-markets, bodegas, and shops around the world, folks would often reinterpret and make their own Coke logo, breaking brand rules and guidelines. Instead of fighting it, Coke embraced it, by building a “Coke-creating” campaign with artists all over the world. The result? A beautiful reinterpretation of a beloved product. Partnering with rule-breakers is a pro move, here’s the agency behind the project. Might be a good idea for a campaign? Work with designers to create versions of your client’s logo on exclusive merch? Good idea for a company’s anniversary celebration! Here’s another look.

New streamlined reports tab in commonsku!

The sales reports you know and love got a shiny new update: You can now access all sales reports via a streamlined Reports tab! Plus, we added a new report, the Rep Comparative Report, so you can see invoiced dollars by client or order rep and compare it to the previous month, quarter or year. Click here to learn more!

Easily collect addresses in your next pop-up shop

Gone are the days of using custom questions for collecting address fields in Pop-Up Shops. commonsku users can now collect drop-ship addresses, and validate the address information, in Pop-Up Shops! Simply enable address collection on your next Pop-Up Shop in Settings > Checkout > Easy-peasy!

Navigating a Transparent Supply Chain

Will tariffs affect the promo supply chain? Will intensifying US+China relations have a negative impact on our industry? And will end-client demand for supply chain transparency cause suppliers and distributors to peel back the curtains on sourcing? We tackle all these questions with Tim Andrews, President and CEO of the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI). Tune into the skucast, here!

Glossier’s summer capsule makes a perfect splash

Glossier’s summer merch capsule is a refreshing little drop with brilliant summer colors. We say ‘yes’ to the bandana, the claw clip, bottle opener (”utility sling”) and this gorgeous towel. And don’t forget what Marie Suter, Glossier’s chief creative officer said in WWD Magazine, “Merch isn’t this cherry-on-top marketing tool for us anymore; it has become an important part of our business. People expect it from us.” 

Wired’s merch store gets a glow-up

Not to be outdone by The Verge, Wired refreshed their store for summer and we love their clever take on the MiiR WIRED/TIRED water bottle (”wired, tired, expired”). The bottle is inspired by Wired’s original designer John Plunkett from his initial logo prototypes from 30 years ago, a great way to modernize and honor the brand’s heritage! Check out this merch store header, these rad laptop sleeves, and this Angry Nerd Hat!

Brooklyn Nets announce a new logo via merch.

We’ve shared many stories about how brands now use merch as a press release and the latest new logo drop from the Brooklyn Nets proves it. Last week they revealed their new logo (Twitter / Instagram) to the world with a sweet merch drop on their shop…with Brooklyn flair!

👀 Throwback merch: The Frank Zappa team kept this merch in a vault from the 80’s and it’s now being released for fans to win!

🎵 White Castle x Eminem collab on merch just ahead of his album release.

💂 Political merch: Let's skip across the pond and show how the Brits are doing merch+politics? This politician created a pair of flip-flops to show that his opponent flip-flops on the issues.

☠️ Isaiah Studivent’s got a beef with your lazy a** booth merch and he’s got a good point. “I’m just throwing rocks. If it hits you, holler.”

💬 Psst! Did you know you can now DM your distributor friends right inside the brand new skummunity forum? Here’s how!

🍦 Mooooove over Buc-cees, there’s a beloved convenience store concept that might just win on charm alone, or at least their merch, what say you backpacker? Charm or camp?

🌵 Interesting take: How Cactus Plant Flea Market collabs on merch with everyone yet doesn’t lose their cool nor their authenticity.

🎟️ How’s your event invitation game? Surely it can’t be Thom’s?

🐊 For some Olympic merch inspo, check out the Lacoste Heritage Paris 1924 collection, an homage to the last time the Olympics were held in Paris. Barrel bag and tank FTW!