SwagUp Inc Isn’t the Only Option Anymore and Here’s Why Companies Are Choosing Merchloop Instead

Not too long ago, the world of branded swag was stuck in the past—think endless boxes of t-shirts collecting dust and onboarding kits that missed the mark. Then SwagUp Inc showed up and gave the industry a much-needed upgrade. Custom kits, automation, and slick user experiences? Yes, please.

But here’s the thing: what once felt fresh is now starting to feel a bit… dated.

As companies grow more savvy and employee expectations rise, many are realizing that SwagUp Inc’s model has its limits. That’s why so many brands are making the switch to a newer, more flexible, and way more modern solution—Merchloop.

Let’s break it all down.

SwagUp Inc Changed the Game—At First

Give credit where it’s due: SwagUp Inc helped bring swag into the digital age. They gave companies a platform to send out slick branded kits without the manual labor. No more stuffing boxes in-house or juggling spreadsheets of shipping addresses.

They made it easier to:

• Send onboarding gifts to new hires

• Surprise prospects with curated swag boxes

• Store and manage inventory in one place

It worked—for a while. But as businesses evolved, they started asking questions SwagUp Inc couldn’t answer. Things like:

• What if we want to ship just one item at a time?

• What if our team wants more say in what they receive?

• Why are we paying for storage when we don’t need it?

• Is there a better way to do this?

Spoiler alert: there is.

Where SwagUp Inc Falls Flat in 2025

SwagUp was innovative when it launched, but many companies now find themselves feeling boxed in—literally and figuratively.

Pre-Built Kits Aren’t Always a Fit

SwagUp focuses heavily on kits. You choose what’s inside, then send it off to everyone. But not every employee wears hats. Not every client needs another notebook. The result? Swag that sits in drawers, closets, or worse—gets tossed.

Storage = Stress

Using SwagUp often means ordering in bulk and storing items in their warehouse. Sounds convenient, right? Until:

• You over-order and can’t get rid of unused items

• You under-order and have to wait weeks to restock

• You realize how much you’re paying just to keep your stuff in someone else’s space

Missing the Brands People Really Want

Let’s be real: premium brands matter. People are far more likely to wear and use swag when it’s from names they recognize and love. But SwagUp doesn’t offer top lifestyle brands like Nike or The North Face in an on-demand format. That’s a huge miss in today’s style-conscious work culture.

The Hidden Cost of Convenience

SwagUp makes ordering look easy, but there are plenty of extra fees behind the scenes. From storage to fulfillment to kit assembly, it all adds up—fast.

Here’s Where Merchloop Comes In

If SwagUp Inc was swag 2.0, Merchloop is swag 3.0—faster, smarter, and built for today’s teams. The secret? Merchloop is fully vertically integrated. That means:

• Merchloop makes the swag

• Merchloop customizes the swag

• Merchloop ships the swag

• And Merchloop powers the store where it all happens

There’s no middleman. No third-party warehouses. No unnecessary costs. Just branded gear made easy.

No Minimums, No Warehousing, No Headaches

Merchloop gives companies their own custom swag stores, and everything is on demand. That means you can ship just one item at a time. You’re not stuck with leftover sizes or gear no one wants.

Employees, clients, or partners simply:

• Click a link

• Pick their item(s)

• Enter their info

• And it ships right to their door

No spreadsheets. No guesswork. No storage units full of hoodies.

Yes, You Can Offer Nike (And Other Top Brands)

One of the coolest things about Merchloop is the ability to offer premium lifestyle brands—without the bulk order hassle. We’re talking:

• Nike

• The North Face

• TravisMathew

• Marine Layer

• YETI

• And many more

And these aren’t just “sort-of” branded. You can get your logo professionally printed or embroidered on high-end gear, with no minimums. That’s a major step up from traditional kits or one-size-fits-all boxes.

Pricing That Actually Makes Sense

Here’s where vertical integration really pays off: you save money. Because Merchloop owns the process from start to finish, they don’t tack on random fees at every stage.

The result?

• Items priced at or below MSRP

• Transparent pricing from start to finish

• Faster turnaround times

• No hidden warehousing or packaging costs

It’s swag that’s better—and more budget-friendly.

Swag With Style and Substance

Swag isn’t just stuff. It’s part of your brand. And today’s teams want more than just a t-shirt. They want gear they’ll actually wear. Things that reflect their lifestyle and your company’s culture.

Merchloop’s stores feel like mini brand boutiques. You can:

• Offer seasonal product drops

• Let people pick their favorite styles and sizes

• Use store credit as a reward, gift, or perk

• Launch collections tailored to different teams or events

And because everything is on demand, you can update your offerings whenever you like—no long lead times or stuck inventory.

Real-Life Swag Wins

Still wondering how this all plays out in the real world? Let’s walk through a few examples of how companies are swapping SwagUp Inc for smarter solutions.

New Hire Swag, Reimagined

With SwagUp: You order 250 onboarding kits, guess sizes, and ship them all out. With Merchloop: New hires get a welcome email with a custom store link. They choose exactly what they want. It ships the next day. Easy.

Sales Gifting With Impact

With SwagUp: You pre-order mugs and send the same box to every prospect. With Merchloop: You send a gift card for your store. Clients pick a premium item they’ll actually use. Instant connection.

Event Giveaways That People Remember

With SwagUp: You haul boxes of swag to the event and lug back whatever’s left. With Merchloop: You offer a digital redemption link. Attendees pick what they want later—and you collect valuable data in the process.

What Companies Are Saying After Making the Switch

“SwagUp helped us get started, but we hit a ceiling. With Merchloop, we’re sending swag on our terms—when we want, how we want, and without wasting a dime.”

“We love that we’re not guessing on sizes anymore. Our team feels more seen and appreciated.”

“Merchloop helped us get access to brands like Nike and TravisMathew—something we could never pull off with SwagUp.”

These aren’t one-off comments. They’re common refrains from companies across tech, finance, healthcare, and beyond.

The Swag Landscape Is Changing Fast

Let’s face it—swag has become more than a nice-to-have. It’s a tool for engagement, retention, and brand identity. And just like any other part of your business, it needs to evolve.

SwagUp Inc helped usher in a new way of thinking. But now that companies are looking for:

• Greater flexibility

• Premium brand access

• Cost savings

• Zero inventory stress

• Personalized experiences

...SwagUp’s model just doesn’t go far enough.

Time for a Smarter Swag Strategy

If you’ve been feeling boxed in by bulk kits, minimums, and rigid fulfillment models, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s a better way.

Merchloop is built for modern teams that want more control, more brand impact, and more value out of every swag dollar.

SwagUp Inc might have helped you get here—but it doesn’t have to take you the rest of the way.

Ready to build a swag strategy that actually works for your team?
It’s time to explore what’s possible when swag is smarter, faster, and made to order.