Traditional swag handouts no longer resonate with the tech-savvy generation Z. The future of merch is in choice, speed and interactivity. And the future is here with a digital swag shop.
The world is moving fast, and Gen Z is leading the way. Millennials barely noticed how fast Gen Z grew up and became their colleagues, customers, and partners. Raised in a digital world, Generation Z joined the workforce with a fresh approach to work, pushing businesses to adapt—including how they give away merchandise.
Traditional swag handouts no longer resonate with this tech-savvy, experience-driven generation. Gen Z often looks for personalization, sustainability, and digital integration. A self-service swag shop perfectly meets these needs making merch distribution more engaging and efficient.
What is a swag shop?
A company swag shop is an online store where employees, clients, and partners can redeem branded merchandise for bonus points. Companies use these stores to distribute corporate swag efficiently while maintaining brand consistency.
We asked Anna Yanchenko, Swag42’s Event Manager, to explain how to distribute merch in a way that resonates with Gen Z and ensures it serves its purpose.
Technology-focused generation
Gen Z, born after 1996, grew up in a digital-first world where technology simplifies communication, work, and shopping. In all aspects of life, including receiving corporate merch, they seek speed, independence, and efficiency.
“The Swag42 platform, with its customizable swag shop, fits perfectly into Gen Z’s mindset by allowing them to browse, select, and order merch online,” Anna explains. “Here’s why self-service swag-by-points shops are the ideal way to distribute merch to this generation.”
Self-service experience
As a mobile-first generation, Gen Z prefers interacting with digital platforms over direct communication. Excessive conversations can feel unnecessary and time-consuming, so they favor efficient, intuitive experiences that get things done quickly.
“A swag shop offers a fully self-service experience,” says Anna. “Users can browse available items, redeem points for swag, and order instantly—all without needing to talk to anyone.”
How it works: Businesses allocate bonus points, and Gen Z users redeem them for their preferred branded merchandise online.
Swag shop speed and simplicity
Gen Z expects instant gratification. They appreciate simple, seamless platforms that don’t require lengthy onboarding.
“A company swag store meets these expectations by offering an intuitive interface for browsing, selecting, and ordering swag in just a few clicks,” Anna highlights. “Self-service means getting what they want as fast as in a couple of clicks.”
Freedom of choice in a swag shop
One-size-fits-all giveaways usually don’t work for Gen Z, who prefer customization and choice.
“With a swag shop, people pick what they like in a gamified way, ensuring the merch is relevant and appreciated,” says Anna. “This not only enhances the experience but also minimizes waste.”
68% of people prefer choosing a corporate gift over a standard one according to 2023 State of Corporate Gifting Report.
Mobility and flexibility
“As far as I see, Gen Z values freedom of movement. They opt for delivery services over carrying shopping bags, and the same applies to swag. Instead of lugging merchandise around a conference, attendees can order their swag online and have it delivered later,” Anna explains. “This solution fits perfectly into their lifestyle.”
Sustainability
Environmental consciousness is a significant priority for Gen Z. They actively support brands that prioritize sustainability and reduce waste.
FirstInsight’s recent report on Gen Z shopping habits shows that 62% of Gen Z shoppers prefer sustainable brands, and 73% are ready to pay more for eco-friendly products. Moreover, Gen Z tends to make purchase decisions based on personal values.
From this perspective, swag shops are also a solution:
“A digital-first swag distribution model eliminates unnecessary waste,” Anna points out. “Thus, no used packages or unwanted items are left at event venues—every piece of merch reaches the relevant owner.”
Swag stores are the future of merch distribution
As you can see, the self-service swag stores meet Gen Z’s needs and expectations in terms of convenience, personalization, sustainability, and digitalization.
“For those who target Gen Z clients, employees, and partners, a swag shop isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of merch distribution,” Anna concludes. “With the Swag42 Platform, every interaction is seamless, engaging, and truly resonates with the values of digital natives.”