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The Most Unusual Branded Products from Global Companies
Merch has evolved far beyond T-shirts and pens. Today, brands are getting bold: releasing chicken-scented deodorant, self-assembled sneakers, logo-stamped bricks, and even branded sardines.
Why does it work? Because unusual merch sparks emotion, tells a story, and gets people talking.
Here are 10 of the most creative and unexpected branded products that prove merch can be weird, wonderful—and wildly effective.
Why does it work? Because unusual merch sparks emotion, tells a story, and gets people talking.
Here are 10 of the most creative and unexpected branded products that prove merch can be weird, wonderful—and wildly effective.
1. Tesla
Lightning-Shaped Tequila
Tesla launches its own Tequila, premium booze with a premium price tag.
It started as an April Fool’s joke. Then, in 2020, Tesla launched Tesla Tequila — a premium spirit in a lightning bolt-shaped glass bottle, priced at $250. Each drop sells out in minutes.
This isn’t just a bottle — it’s a design statement, a collector’s item, and a showcase of Tesla’s bold personality. It’s merch that embodies the brand’s futuristic vision and Elon Musk’s signature humor.
This isn’t just a bottle — it’s a design statement, a collector’s item, and a showcase of Tesla’s bold personality. It’s merch that embodies the brand’s futuristic vision and Elon Musk’s signature humor.
2. IKEA
Sneakers Made from Furniture
In collaboration with designer Chris Stamp, IKEA released limited-edition sneakers made from the same materials used in its furniture—sofa fabric, chipboard-inspired soles, and all.
It wasn’t about mass production—it was about storytelling through materials. The message: IKEA isn’t just home goods—it’s a design language.
It wasn’t about mass production—it was about storytelling through materials. The message: IKEA isn’t just home goods—it’s a design language.
Chris Stamp IKEA sneakers
3. KFC
Fried Chicken-Scented Deodorant
Yes, this happened. KFC launched a line of personal care products featuring its signature scent—a deodorant with the aroma of “11 herbs and spices.”
It wasn’t about practicality. It was about shock value, shareability, and social buzz. The absurdity made it memorable—and incredibly viral.
People posted reaction videos, influencers reviewed it half-jokingly, and the internet exploded with memes.
It wasn’t about practicality. It was about shock value, shareability, and social buzz. The absurdity made it memorable—and incredibly viral.
People posted reaction videos, influencers reviewed it half-jokingly, and the internet exploded with memes.
4. Liquid Death
Severed Head Candle
Liquid Death, the metal-inspired canned water brand, created a candle shaped like a severed head, with a surprisingly fresh scent.
It went viral on TikTok, generating thousands of videos and reactions. This is merch that doesn’t just follow the brand voice—it amplifies it into cultural content.
It went viral on TikTok, generating thousands of videos and reactions. This is merch that doesn’t just follow the brand voice—it amplifies it into cultural content.
Liquid Death partners with Martha Stewart for Halloween campaign
5. Apple
New MacBook-Scented Candle
Mac smell
Apple fans know that new-Mac smell. One of Apple’s accessory partners released a candle designed to smell like opening a new MacBook—minimalist packaging included.
It sold out fast. The candle extended Apple’s brand experience beyond the screen into the senses—merch as a sensory UX. It wasn’t just about the scent—it was about nostalgia, obsession, and attention to detail.
The product became a collector’s item, celebrated by die-hard fans and tech blogs alike. It proved that even a fragrance can reinforce brand identity when the experience is iconic enough.
It sold out fast. The candle extended Apple’s brand experience beyond the screen into the senses—merch as a sensory UX. It wasn’t just about the scent—it was about nostalgia, obsession, and attention to detail.
The product became a collector’s item, celebrated by die-hard fans and tech blogs alike. It proved that even a fragrance can reinforce brand identity when the experience is iconic enough.
6. Crocs
Dog Crocs
Crocs turned their iconic footwear into mini versions… for dogs. Yes, actual Crocs for paws.
The product hit the sweet spot of absurd, adorable, and extremely shareable. Pet owners posted their “fashionable” dogs, and Crocs gained massive organic reach in return.
The product hit the sweet spot of absurd, adorable, and extremely shareable. Pet owners posted their “fashionable” dogs, and Crocs gained massive organic reach in return.
Pet Crocs made for the furry family member
7. Mailchimp
A Card Game About Email Marketing
Mailchimp released a branded card game where players build email campaigns, dodge spam filters, and grow subscriber lists.
It’s playful, on-brand, and smart. Merch that entertains, educates, and markets—all at once. Each element of the game reflects real email marketing challenges, turning a technical subject into something social and fun. It’s not just a gimmick—it subtly teaches players how the platform works.
It’s playful, on-brand, and smart. Merch that entertains, educates, and markets—all at once. Each element of the game reflects real email marketing challenges, turning a technical subject into something social and fun. It’s not just a gimmick—it subtly teaches players how the platform works.
8. Supreme
A Brick with a Logo
Supreme, the streetwear icon known for turning anything into merch, released a literal brick with its logo. Just a standard red brick—branded.
It sold out within hours. People used it in home décor, as collector’s pieces, and even in art. Merch as an object of worship. It was absurd, impractical, and completely on-brand—which made it iconic. The brick became a statement about hype culture and the power of brand loyalty. In essence, Supreme proved that when your brand is strong enough, even the most mundane object can become a coveted artifact.
It sold out within hours. People used it in home décor, as collector’s pieces, and even in art. Merch as an object of worship. It was absurd, impractical, and completely on-brand—which made it iconic. The brick became a statement about hype culture and the power of brand loyalty. In essence, Supreme proved that when your brand is strong enough, even the most mundane object can become a coveted artifact.
Supreme brick merchandise
9. Glossier
The Pink Bathrobe
Beauty brand Glossier went beyond skincare and released a plush pink robe designed for self-care routines. It quickly became a cult item among fans.
This was merch that blended seamlessly into daily rituals, reinforcing the brand’s feel-good, self-love message. It wasn’t just about comfort—it was about embodying the Glossier lifestyle from morning to night. The robe became a soft, wearable extension of the brand’s minimalist, emotionally resonant aesthetic.
This was merch that blended seamlessly into daily rituals, reinforcing the brand’s feel-good, self-love message. It wasn’t just about comfort—it was about embodying the Glossier lifestyle from morning to night. The robe became a soft, wearable extension of the brand’s minimalist, emotionally resonant aesthetic.
10. Zoom
Branded Slippers for Remote Work
At the height of the pandemic, Zoom launched cozy slippers with their logo—perfect for staying comfy during endless video calls.
It was timely, clever, and real. Merch that said: “We get it. We’re part of your day now.” The slippers turned a shared global experience—working from home—into something tangible and lighthearted. They bridged the gap between professional and personal space, adding a human touch to virtual work life.
It was timely, clever, and real. Merch that said: “We get it. We’re part of your day now.” The slippers turned a shared global experience—working from home—into something tangible and lighthearted. They bridged the gap between professional and personal space, adding a human touch to virtual work life.
CONCLUSION
Great merch isn’t just functional—it’s:
Want your merch to be more than just branded stuff? Let’s make something unforgettable.
- emotional,
- provocative,
- conversation-starting,
- and a bold extension of brand values.
Want your merch to be more than just branded stuff? Let’s make something unforgettable.
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