What is merchandise?
Merchandise (or merch) refers to any product intended for sale. It can include physical goods like clothing, electronics, books, or packaged food, as well as custom merchandise, such as branded items created to promote a business, an event, or an artist.
For example, the clothes in a clothing store, the phones in an electronics shop, and the snacks in a supermarket are all merchandise purchased from a supplier or manufacturer and resold to customers for profit.
Why is merchandise important?
Merchandise drives the economy by meeting both consumer needs and wants. From everyday essentials like food and clothing to luxury items and collectibles, almost everything we buy is merchandise. For businesses, merchandise is the foundation of revenue – without products to sell, they can’t generate profit or sustain operations.
What is wholesale merchandise?
Wholesale merchandise means buying products in large quantities from a supplier at a lower price and then selling them to stores or other businesses – not directly to shoppers. For example, a wholesaler might sell 500 t-shirts at once to a clothing store, which then sells them individually to customers.
What is merchandise inventory?
A merchandise inventory is a list of all products a company buys to resell to consumers for a higher price. Retailers intend to sell their merchandise inventory to consumers, whereas distributors and wholesalers aim to sell it to retailers.
Types of merchandise
Retailers often group merchandise into four main categories:
- Convenience merchandise – Everyday essentials customers regularly buy with little effort, like food, toiletries, and cleaning products.
- Impulse merchandise – Unplanned purchases that customers pick up on the spot, such as custom products, candy, magazines, or small accessories.
- Household merchandise – Higher-priced items that require research before buying, like smartphones, furniture, or washing machines.
- Specialized merchandise – Niche or luxury products bought less often but at a higher cost, such as designer clothing, vacations, or high-end cars.
What is branded merchandise?
Branded merchandise is any product that displays a company’s logo, name, or design. It can range from perfume and clothing in physical stores to branded mugs, hats, and tote bags sold online. Artists, influencers, and brands of all sizes use online merchandising services, like Printify’s merch maker, to create branded merchandise promoting their image for extra income.
Benefits of branded merchandise:
- Extra revenue stream – Selling products with your logo can bring in additional profit beyond your main offerings.
- Free marketing – When customers wear or use branded items, they help promote your brand to others.
- Brand loyalty – Fans and customers who buy branded merchandise often feel a stronger connection to the brand, especially in luxury and niche markets where a sense of community is part of the appeal.
What is the difference between merchandise and merchandising?
Merchandise is the physical product being bought or sold – from clothing and electronics to food and household items.
Merchandising is the process of promoting merchandise to encourage sales. This can include in-store displays, discounts, giveaways, or special product placements.
Example: If a store receives a shipment of new shampoo, the bottles are the merchandise. Placing them in a special display at the front of the store with a “20% Off” sign is merchandising.
FAQs
Commercial merchandise refers to goods produced or purchased for the purpose of selling them to customers, whether in physical stores or online.
To make merch, first choose products that fit your brand (such as t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags), then design them with your logo, artwork, or slogans. Work with a print-on-demand service like Printify to produce and ship them directly to customers.
Examples of merchandise include clothing in a fashion store, snacks in a supermarket, or electronics in an online shop – essentially, any product available for purchase.
Merchandise is the formal term for products bought and sold. ‘Merch’ is simply the informal or shortened version of the word, often used in casual conversation or marketing.