The Backpack: Issue 47

Fall music fest season opens, here’s what’s trending

Austin City Limits is one of the gateway music fests for Fall, and music festivals are always a great place for a merch pro to do some trend shopping, so what’s trending? Bandanas, like this pink one and corduroy caps (like this Howler Brothers yellow cap or this simple blue one). Corduroy (like these corduroy shorts) and suede are on trend and on everyone now from fashion influencers to festival goers. Satin coaches jackets are making a special appearance from the 70’s, but maybe the most unique item might be the Death Valley nail polish and this take on an insider (IYKYK) tee. Trend tip from music fests? Corduroy, 70’s vibes, and play the merch toward that IYKYK audience!

Witches overtake your feeds (no, not Halloween)

Remember the Barbie-palooza pink-infested merch craze? Well, get ready for the next wave of movie-obsessed merch, Wicked. The highly anticipated movie adaption is set to be the next big thing in cinema which means the merch game will be...wicked. 🤓 The Cut is already celebrating the best in Wicked merch which includes, of course, a Stanley, but also check out trendy travel line Béis’s Wicked luggage, talk about brands who are going all in.

skucon tickets are going fast!

For over a decade, skucon has been the gathering place for the industry’s most forward-thinking minds! Each year, speakers are handpicked based on the most high-impact topics and current trends. Come learn how to be brilliant at a moment's notice with creative coach Todd Henry, author of the best-seller, The Accidental Creative, and join one of the fastest-rising experts on the economy, Kyla Scanlon, author of the book In This Economy. And don’t miss our amazing closing keynote, Ben Higgins, from "The Bachelor" fame, as he shares how to build a generous business. Register NOW before tickets are gone!

3 quick tips to drive holiday sales with shops

It’s October and historically, once the weather gets chillier and the sun starts sinking sooner, clients (finally!) turn their minds toward fall and winter, which means they are ready for gift-giving season. Want to know how to capture holiday sales with shops? Check our tips here and also, don’t miss out on our webinar with Marcella De Ocampo to learn how to maximize your opportunity with holiday shops!

Shops update: Personalize, packing lists, and taxes

Our pop-up shops keep getting shiny upgrades and just in time for the holidays, too! Our elves have been busy building and in case you missed it, we now allow personalization on product. Plus, we've enabled bulk packing lists so you can easily ship to multiple destinations, and we've made tax collection a cinch by allowing you to calculate accurate taxes for individual shipping!

McDonald’s charms with Crocs and receipt tees?

In case you missed it, McDonald’s dropped a Crocs collab including mini crocs in Happy Meals and it’s as ugly-cute as you can imagine. The Post said it’s driving grownups to hit the Happy Meal line again, and just when you think you’ve had enough FOMO, Crocs + McDonald’s also dropped a special Happy Meal clog, Croc socks (yes, they look as cool as Croc-socks can sound), and a whole new 5-pack of Jibbitz charms. We love how McD’s taps into all the right merch moments: nostalgia (Happy Meals), merch trends (charms), and just pure fun (mini-crocs). But charming customers apparently hit a new level in Sweden, check out this rad on-site activation that let's customers print a receipt of their fave McD's order. Smart! 

Merch has entered its bougie era

In case you need more proof that merch is now leading trends instead of following them, Uruguayan fashion designer Gabriella Hearst drops a collab with The Grateful Dead and it's one of the most luxe merch debuts we've seen, featuring "strictly sustainable fabrics" like deadstock french terrry and cashmere. For inspo, check out the subtle but sophisticated designs on these caps, the back print on this long sleeve, and these bray knit socks. Prices range from $450 to $4,450. 😳 But still, beautiful line and proof that merch has moved beyond the concert tee!

Meet the 27-year old economic adviser for Gen-Z

Jared Bernstein, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers considers Kyla Scanlon an impressive thinker about the economy. Kyla writes a weekly newsletter, makes YouTube videos, hosts the “Let’s Appreciate” podcast, and posts —almost daily— short-form videos about the economy and markets. Her first book, In This Economy: How Money and Markets Really Work, was published in May 2024 and the best news? Kyla's a keynote speaker at skucon in Jan, tune into our episode to brush up on your economic fluency and learn all about how "vibes" impact the way we think about the economy!

☕ Coffee shop gets a “disgustingly pro-women” Yelp review and what does it do? Turns it into a t-shirt that, of course, is flying off the shelves. 20% of proceeds from the shirt go to a non-profit that provides short-term financial assistance for women in need. Love to see negative reviews turned into supportive merch!

👹 Who’s doing Halloween merch right? Dunkin’, of course. Get your track jacket and pants here. Oh, and apparently, all the food brands are all-in on Halloween costumes including, but Auntie Anne’s pretzels and Cinnabon, are we even trying?

🌴 Get your Oasis merch before it’s gone, I’ll take this Tamborine tee, thanks.

👾 Nintendo merch is so hot that the new museum is limiting one per customer.

💕 Chappell Roan does merch right, first, it was the camo cap, and now, limited edition paper dolls.

🏎️ A famous Red Bull Formula race car driver has a catchphrase, “simply lovely” and decided to name his entire new line of merch exactly that, simply lovely. We’re into this green crewneck.

👕 In case you missed it in the story above, this is a brilliant merch activation.