4 Proven Strategies for Creating Successful Corporate Decorated Apparel Stores

ore and more companies use web stores as a one-stop shop for uniforms, company swag, and promo items. These online stores make it easy to keep things fresh, whether with seasonal collections, quarterly updates, or fun pop-up shops. It’s like a branded showroom where employees and customers can explore, shop, and get a feel for the company’s vibe—all in one place.
“Whether in tech, healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, retail, or startups—any industry that needs uniforms or wants to offer swag and company incentives—a web store is a perfect fit for virtually any market,” says Lauren King, national account manager at S&S Activewear.

Have you started offering an online store solution to your customers? Don’t miss out on a growing revenue stream. We’ve gathered some key insights from a recent TrendWatch webinar by Inktavo and S&S on building successful corporate stores.

1. Keep Your Stores Fresh With Premium and Trendy Items

In apparel, what’s in style today can feel outdated tomorrow, so it’s essential to keep corporate webstores stocked with fresh collections and trendy, seasonal, or eco-friendly products.

“Add trendy, exciting pieces to the lineup, especially for tech and younger markets where employees want to feel proud of their brand outside of work. Staples are important, but no one wants to wear stagnant styles. To stay locked in with your customer, do quarterly or biannual check-ins. Keeping it fresh creates a style and flavor to the brand.”  
- Lauren King, national account manager at S&S Activewear

A well-curated selection that includes core items, like uniforms and stylish accessories, adds value, making it easy for businesses to see the benefits of a personalized, well-designed store. Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement manager at S&S, suggests focusing on these categories:

Employee Uniforms:

A diverse range of brands can bring style and function to workwear, and Jaanuu is a great example. Known for blending healthcare and wellness aesthetics, Jaanuu’s designs cater to sectors like in-home care, veterinary services, and med spas, where professional and comfortable uniforms are essential. “Jaanuu is healthcare; it’s wellness—it checks many boxes. I’m excited to see how it performs for us,” says Marcantelli, highlighting the brand’s versatility and appeal.

CorpCore Trend:

The rise of “CorpCore” reflects a shift toward comfort and style, especially post-COVID. With employees balancing work-from-home days and in-office appearances, there’s demand for clothing that transitions effortlessly between settings—like woven polos, vests, and tech pants. Adidas and other brands offering stylish, yet professional wear cater to this hybrid work model.

Workwear and Lifestyle Options:

Brands like Dickies and Dri Duck have transcended traditional uses, becoming popular not just in agriculture and construction sites but also in casual streetwear. Heavyweight fleece collections are trending, showing that comfort and durability appeal across multiple sectors.

Employee Swag:

Matching sets, crewnecks, and accessories are trending because they offer practicality without sacrificing style. Companies can also use swag to fund charitable initiatives, blending corporate engagement with social responsibility. “Offering premium items adds perceived value, showing employees their company is investing in them,” Marcantelli says. “Dual-purpose items, like bags for work and personal use, build engagement and can even support retention.”

Premium and Unique Accessories:

Offering high-quality, innovative accessories can further enhance a web store's appeal. Brands like Nomadixs provide eco-friendly, versatile products that integrate seamlessly into everyday life. Whether sand-resistant yoga accessories or sleek, functional bags, these items represent the premium options that set your store apart. “Nomadixs is a high-end, environmentally-conscious accessory brand,” Marcantelli says. “These styles are exciting and a great way to give employees useful products for their daily lives.”

2. Use DTF Transfers to Generate More Income and New Opportunities

Once your store offerings are updated with fresh, high-quality items that reflect current trends, the next step is ensuring that these products can be efficiently and flexibly customized to meet demand. This is where leveraging advanced printing technologies, like direct-to-film (DTF) printing, can open up new opportunities for profitability and convenience.

The hybrid fulfillment model, blending traditional printing with print-on-demand (POD) through heat press and DTF transfers, offers fast, flexible customization without the burden of large inventory, reducing waste and aligning with customer demand for just-in-time printing.

“Shops work with the corporate client to pre-print a selection of transfers—whether for standard uniforms or event-specific themes—and store them on the shelf. Orders come in, are collated weekly or bi-weekly, printed together, and drop-shipped directly to the customer.”
- Craig Mertens, director of product education for Inktavo

Another exciting aspect of hybrid POD is its versatility. Decorators can use cap presses for various applications, including second-location prints, labels, and patches. “I've seen DTF transfer work being done on hats, and it looks phenomenal," Mertens says. “This flexibility is like ‘printing money,’ as it opens up multiple revenue streams by incorporating decals, patches, and other hard substrates into the product mix.”

The rapid adoption of DTF technology has led S&S Activewear to partner with Ninja Transfers, making it simpler than ever for businesses to access high-quality transfers. Through this integration, users can order transfers directly on the S&S platform, with benefits like free freight and streamlined payment options.
“If you’re running a smaller company store and only need a one- or two-piece order, it’s a cohesive, one-stop solution,” King says. This partnership allows businesses to offer small-scale customization and intricate, larger designs without significant upfront investment. Ninja’s DTF transfers offer high-quality results. Their cold peel application blends seamlessly into the fabric, extending the life of the print.

3. Tailor the Store Experience to Your Client’s Business and Employees

Success in managing web stores, especially for larger clients, hinges on personalized service and building strong relationships. Customizing the store setup, curating product lines, and offering flexible branding solutions keep clients engaged. “You need to build that relationship and offer personalized service,” King says.

Expand your offerings beyond basic products like uniforms and polos to ensure ongoing satisfaction. Add seasonal items and accessories like hats, bags, and blankets to keep the store fresh and exciting. Understanding your client’s culture, branding, and operational needs allows you to tailor the store experience and meet specific goals, ultimately improving ROI and employee engagement.  This personalized approach strengthens the relationship and sets you apart from competitors.

“The more personalized and creative you get, the stronger your client engagement. The big takeaway is tailoring your solutions to your client.”
‍- Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement manager at S&S Activewear

4. Design Merch Employees Want to Wear & Stores They Want to Visit

It’s no longer enough to offer basic branded merchandise. Customers and employees want personalized, high-quality products that reflect their style and values. Offering premium options—such as customizable designs and higher-end materials—creates a sense of exclusivity and engagement that basic products can’t match.

"Offering premium options gives a higher perceived value. It makes you think the company is also investing in their employees."
- Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement manager at S&S Activewear

The goal? Make products that people love to wear outside of work. Mertens says that graphics can make or break a piece’s popularity. "If you create a corporate shirt that you wear on the weekend, you've scored,” he says.

An Inktavo site, for example, simplifies product customization with its “bulk art replacement” feature. This allows you to quickly swap logos or designs across products, making it easy to refresh stores for different clients or events. “Don’t limit your store to basic logos, but also add thematic graphics,” Mertens says.

One effective way to attract new clients is by setting up “pitch stores.” This involves creating a sample web store with custom graphics and products that showcase what your prospect can offer. This proactive approach gives potential clients a tangible sense of the service level and creative capability, making it easier to pitch web store solutions.

“Contact your prospect and say, ‘I set up a quick little store with custom graphics for you. That’s magical. You become more of a creative consultant.”
- Craig Mertens, director of product education for Inktavo

Get All the Tips From the Webinar

To transform your corporate store strategy, start by applying one of these key takeaways today: Refresh your store’s offerings with trendy, high-quality items that resonate with employees and clients.

"Frame the web store as a value-driven, easy solution—because we all want convenience. Everyone is busy, and no one wants to go back and forth. We need something streamlined, ready to go, and easy to launch. Highlight the ROI through cost savings, brand awareness, consistency, and employee engagement—key benefits of company stores."
‍- Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement manager at S&S Activewear

Ready to dive deeper? Watch the full TrendWatch webinar above or on YouTube for more insights and practical steps to build a web store that drives engagement, boosts ROI, and strengthens your brand presence. Don’t wait—take your corporate store to the next level now!