The Backpack: Issue #76

• Trend Alert:  Merch gets wristy (and luxe)
  
• What's new in commonsku: We're at booth #2310!
  
• Can’t Miss Content: Delaware chambers, rock chaos, Buc-ee's genius
  
  

The Unexpected Merch Power Play

Timepieces are emerging as one of merch's most compelling frontiers, and the evidence is stacking up. Sony's PlayStation mechanical watch proves that gaming brands can transcend their category—this isn't gamer kitsch, it's a legitimate timepiece with PlayStation DNA woven into every detail. Meanwhile, Bamford Watch Department is creating merch that holds its own alongside their luxury watch customization work, showing that premium brands need premium merch strategy that matches the craftsmanship of their core product. What's the throughline? Watches represent the sweet spot between functional product, collectible item, and wearable brand statement. They're intimate, personal, and worn daily—making them the ultimate brand ambassador. For clients looking to elevate beyond apparel, watches offer a pathway to merch that feels less like swag and more like investment. A 2026 trend to watch (pun absolutely intended). 🤓

Golf Wang’s Surreal Marty Supreme Merch

Tyler, The Creator's Golf Wang just dropped Marty Supreme merch that channels vintage athletic wear through Golf Wang's signature surreal lens. The collection feels like thrift store gold meets high design—exactly the aesthetic that's dominating right now. This is merch as cultural commentary, not just product. When your gear references film, fashion history, and subculture all at once, you've transcended the hoodie. Check these: must-have photo tee, newspaper rayon button-up (are you kidding me? so rad), classic pcv keychain, the quarter-zip to end all quarter-zips, and of course, the vintage inspired bowling shirt.

Stranger Things Meets Sesame Street. Yes, Really

Netflix just mashed up Stranger Things with Sesame Street, and somehow it's not chaos—it's brilliant. The collab works because both brands know their audience well enough to take risks. These kinds of unexpected pairings create buzz precisely because they shouldn't work—but when they do, they're unforgettable. Our only beef with it? It’s Netflix so, they’ve got tons of money and yet they just reprinted the same image on multiple items? Hoodie, onesie, tee. C’mon Money-Flix, you’ve got more imagination than that - it’s Stranger Things, not Boring Things!

Your team's AI enablement guide for 2026

Stop asking which AI tool to use. Real question: how do you get your team from weekend tinkering to actual daily workflow? Eku Malcolm just joined commonsku as Director of AI Operations after spending four years embedding AI everywhere at his last company. Week one move? Built a custom GPT in 15 minutes that helps the whole team how to prompt better. This episode breaks down generative vs. agentic AI, why one platform beats tool chaos, and the guardrails that actually make sense. Spoiler: the barrier isn't adoption anymore—it's integration. Listen here.

Your 2026 Expo Cheat Sheet

We've got the blueprint for making those three days count. Skip the FOMO, dodge the booth burnout, and actually connect with the suppliers and innovations that'll move your business forward. From pre-show prep to post-show follow-up, here's how to turn conference chaos into actual ROI.