Many fast-growing companies now run an internal swag store where employees redeem points or buy merch, or a public store where fans and customers can buy branded products. Here is how to set one up without locking cash in dead inventory.

1. Choose your model

• Internal redemption store – employees use credits for rewards, anniversaries and referrals.
• Public merch store – community-led brands, creators, startups with fans.
• Event-led drops – limited collections around launches or offsites.

2. Start with a tight product mix

5–8 SKUs is plenty: a premium tee, an oversized tee, a hoodie, a polo, a cap, a tote and a bottle or notebook. Expand only after you see sell-through.

3. Order in small, repeatable batches

With a 10-piece MOQ you can stock lean and reorder winners. Lock fabric, shade and artwork specs so repeats match.

4. Get sizing right

Use a size-wise split based on headcount data; a common Indian corporate split is S 10%, M 30%, L 30%, XL 20%, XXL 10%. Use our size collection toolkit.

5. Plan fulfilment

Decide whether HR ships from office, or your vendor ships directly to employee addresses. Pre-packed, labelled kits save days of admin.

6. Measure

Track redemption rate per SKU, size stock-outs and reorder cycle. Retire slow movers every quarter.

Also see: employee welcome kits and repeat order planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much inventory should a company merch store start with?

Start small: 5 to 8 SKUs and enough stock for 4 to 8 weeks of expected demand, then reorder best-sellers.

Can merch be shipped directly to remote employees?

Yes. Vendors can pack individual kits and ship to employee addresses across India.

What products should a merch store include?

A premium tee, oversized tee, hoodie, polo, cap and tote cover most demand.