Episode notes
Company stores are changing. Print-on-demand, automation, pop-up shops, personalization, and better data are helping promotional products distributors create profitable branded merchandise programs without excessive inventory, administrative work, or outdated technology.
In this episode of Promo Supplier Playbook, Lisa Fosdick, Kim Ballerene, and Adrienne Barker, MAS, welcome three company-store experts:
Todd Richheimer, Founder of Single Serve Merch
Eric Granata, MAS, Founder and Managing Director of PromoPilot
Nadia Cornelio, MAS, Project Manager with Brand Fuel
Together, they explore how promotional products distributors can build smarter company stores by balancing print-on-demand merchandise with carefully selected inventory.
Todd explains how Single Serve Merch helps distributors manage branded stores, fulfillment, payment collection, sales tax remittance, gifting programs, and other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. He also shares how one time-sensitive fundraising store generated $10,000 in sales on its first day.
Nadia offers a distributor’s perspective on choosing products, controlling inventory, encouraging employee participation, and keeping company stores fresh. She explains why employers should not assume workers will spend their own money on branded merchandise and why employee allowances, free shipping, limited releases, and special promotions can increase store sales.
Eric examines automation, platform sprawl, interoperability, and the importance of selecting technology that fits the program. He explains why distributors should consider the total cost of ownership, including storage, obsolete inventory, administrative labor, pick-and-pack fees, and fulfillment, instead of comparing only the unit price of print-on-demand and bulk merchandise.
The conversation also explores artificial intelligence, sales data, product recommendations, abandoned-cart recovery, employee gifting, pop-up stores, personalization, and the importance of building a strong company culture.
In This Episode:
• When inventory makes sense and when print-on-demand is smarter
• How company stores reduce waste and financial risk
• Why some branded merchandise stores fail to generate sales
• How employee allowances and shipping promotions increase participation
• The difference between pop-up, inventory, and on-demand stores
• Why distributors need the right technology instead of every technology
• How automation reduces administrative work
• Why total program cost matters more than unit price
• How AI and store data can improve product selection and conversion
• Why company culture determines whether employees want branded merchandise
Whether you are a promotional products distributor, supplier, decorator, or technology provider, this episode offers practical strategies for building company stores that are easier to manage, more engaging, and more profitable.
Special thanks to PromoCorner for hosting Promo Supplier Playbook and supporting education, innovation, and growth throughout the promotional products community.