Pedal Power: Leveraging Branded Merchandise to Boost Your Bike Shop's Brand
If you are a retailer - in any industry, take note of what bike shops are doing with merch. This is game changing branding at it's absolute finest and I am going to deep dive an amazing bike shop who is winning and what is that winning formula.
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
As a retail (brand) owner, you know the importance of branding and getting your name out there. But, have you considered using branded merch and swag as a way to grow your brand and business? Many bike shops have found success in selling their own branded merchandise, from t-shirts and hoodies to water bottles and drinkware. Not only does this provide an additional revenue stream, but it also helps to get your brand out there and create a sense of community among your customers.
We know an amazing bike shop in Australia that is absolutely winning with this strategy - and they're selling out! Let me tell you who they are and then I'll break their merch strategy down bit by bit: https://empirecycles.com.au/
Printwear Magazine | Empire Cycles Diverse Merch Offering
One of the most popular items to sell in a bike shop is branded apparel. This is table stakes. Start with a couple tees and caps, growing from there. But, not just any stuff will do. You need premium products that can sit well alongside and amongst core industry brands. Empire has leveraged AS Colour across a few styles of soft goods with a wider headwear and hard goods offering.
While cool t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies with your shop’s logo can provide a nice new revenue stream, it also turns your customers into influencers and they want to rep your brand! By offering a wider range of sizes and styles, your shop can appeal appeal to a broader customer base and increase the engagement.
Drinkware is another popular item that can be branded with your logo. From traditional bike cage styled water bottles to sleek, modern drinkware, offering a variety of options can attract a wide range of customers. Not only does this provide a useful product for your customers, but it also helps to get your brand in front of new potential customers.
Gift with Purchase
It's not just saleable merch, many shops and brands are leveraging premium products like YETI, Hydro Flask and CamelBak for gift-with-purchase offerings and loyalty scenarios. Buy a bike, get a YETI Rambler 46 oz. This works well alongside your shops stock lines of the premium bottles & bags from these industry leaders
Printwear Magazine | Co-Branded Products Courtesy of Printwear.io
Shops can also offer tiered gifts with purchase across purchases of common cycling kit like helmets, bikes, racks, and more. This incentivizes customers to spend more and helps to build loyalty to your brand. Also works well both in-store and online.
Rewarding loyal customers with branded merch and swag is another way to leverage promotional products for your business. This can include offering timely or exclusive merchandise to customers who have spent a certain amount or have been with your shop for a certain length of time. Not only does this help to build customer loyalty, but it also helps to spread the word about your brand.
Keys to a successful merch rollout in your stores
- Merchandise your channel(s) amongst core brands
- Create merch that people want and price close to existing price points
- Cover all shapes, sizes and color preferences
- Great bike shops curate their offering to their customer segment
- Premium begets premium e.g. If I'm dropping 10k on a ride ....
- Don't forget stickers - for cars too!
- Sell, giveaway ... and market your merch like your life depends on it
Marketing Your Merch
Your customers like you! Like them back in your social channels and watch your social sharing and user generated content (UGC) go wild- and GO wide. Merch pays for itself in spades, adds new revenue and builds engagement with your customers and loyalists.
You can have a ton of tees and fleece on offer
Printwear Magazine | Bike Shop Merch
Branded merch and swag can be a valuable tool for growing your bike shop’s brand and business. From selling cool t-shirts and hoodies to offering tiered gifts with purchase and rewarding loyal customers, there are countless opportunities to leverage promotional products for your business. This is table stakes for your brand and retail stores). Invest time and resource - and watch your brand grow.
About Printwear Magazine
Printwear Magazine is your premier destination for everything related to elevating and promoting your brand, team, group, or company. We provide content to those seeking innovative solutions to amplify their visibility through creatively decorated apparel, hard goods, promotional products, merch, and swag. Our platform is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, available options and unique branding experiences.
Whether you're a small business owner, a team manager or an individual looking to make a statement, Printwear Magazine is your go-to resource for discovering exceptional branding solutions and staying ahead of the curve in the world of promotional merchandise. Join us as we explore the endless possibilities to brand greatness together! Find us at: printwearmagazine.com