Search for "swag store" and page one is mostly the platforms that sell them, each with a list of benefits and a demo button. Useful, as far as it goes. What none of them say is what setup costs, what the minimums are, who pays for what, or what happens to the gift nobody claims. Those are the questions people actually ask us, so this post answers them.
Some of our largest orders now come through stores. Here is what we have learned running them.
What are the two kinds of company store?
A hosted company store stays open. Teams order gear when they need it: new hires, trade shows, the person who finally wore out last year's jacket. We hold the stock, fulfill each order as it comes in, and restock before anything runs out.
A pop up gift shop opens for a set window. Everyone chooses something they will actually love. Recipients pick their favorite gift, size and color, and we deliver it to their home or office. The Denver Health employee store ran for one month.
No guessing sizes, no extra inventory, no leftover gifts. You keep better control of the budget, and everyone gets something they want. Our own is open now: the Kaspo Client Appreciation Shop, where our clients each choose their holiday gift.
How does a pop up shop work, step by step?
- The brief. Who is receiving it, what the moment is, and what you want them to feel when the box opens.
- The selection. We curate a short list of items that fit the brief and the budget, and you pick which ones go in the store.
- The store goes live. You send one link.
- People choose. Each recipient picks their item, size and color, and enters where it should go.
- Production. We order and decorate what was picked.
- Delivery. Kitting, packaging, labeling, addresses, shipping. Every gift goes door to door, and none of it lands on your desk.
Who pays, and what are the minimums?
This is the question every platform puts behind a demo call. We would rather you knew before you call.
Setting up a store costs $199. Keep it simple with one invoice paid by the company, or give recipients the option to buy extra items and upgrades on their own. Minimum order quantities vary by product, and we will help you find options that fit your gifting program.
What happens when people don't pick a gift?
In every gifting program, some people never click the link. You only pay for the gifts that are chosen, produced and shipped.
How does shipping work?
Door to door, white glove, turnkey. One client's annual gift went to 55 locations and over 500 homes, each one the recipient's own pick. The client never printed an address label or packed a box.
When is a store the wrong choice?
When you are buying items for an event and sizing does not matter. A store adds a step that does not earn its keep there. Place a straight order and spend the saved time on how you hand it out. If you are not sure which way to go, tell us about it and we will help you find the right fit.
Common questions
What is a swag store?
A swag store is a private online shop stocked with a company's branded products. Employees or clients follow a link, choose what they want, and the vendor produces and ships it. Some stay open all year for ongoing team gear; others open for a few weeks around a gift.
How much does a company swag store cost to set up?
Setting up a store costs $199. Minimums vary by product, and we will help you find options that fit your program.
Can employees choose their own size and color?
Yes. That is most of the point. Each person picks their size and color at checkout, so nobody collects sizes by email and nobody guesses.
Can you ship to remote employees at home?
Yes. Each gift ships to the address the recipient enters, whether that is an office, a home or anywhere else.
What is the difference between a company store and a pop up shop?
A company store stays open, so teams can order gear whenever they need it. A pop up shop opens for a set window with a curated set of gifts, around a moment such as a holiday or a milestone, and then closes. Same technology, different job.
Planning a gift for a lot of people? Tell us what the gift needs to do and we will tell you whether a store fits. For ongoing gear, see Team & Company Gear; for gifts and milestones, Recognition & Appreciation.