Branded Merchandise & Online Company Store Glossary
Your guide to the terminology used in company stores, branded merchandise, fulfillment, inventory management, decoration, integrations and employee programs.
A
API (Application Programming Interface)
A technology that allows different software platforms to exchange information automatically. APIs can connect an online company store with ERP, HR, procurement, inventory and other business systems.
Artwork Approval
The process of reviewing and approving a digital representation of how a logo, design or message will appear on a branded product before production begins.
Automated Fulfillment
A fulfillment process in which technology helps route orders, update inventory, generate shipping information and manage other order-processing tasks with minimal manual intervention.
B
Blank Goods
Apparel or merchandise that has not yet been decorated with a logo, design or other branding.
Brand Compliance
The process of ensuring branded merchandise follows an organization's approved logos, colors, artwork, messaging and other brand standards.
Branded Merchandise
Branded merchandise includes products featuring an organization's logo, artwork or messaging. It can be used for employees, customers, events, recognition programs, recruiting, sales initiatives and marketing.
Bulk Order
A larger quantity of merchandise ordered at one time, often for an event, campaign, location, team or planned distribution.
C
Company Store
A company store is a centralized storefront where employees, customers or other authorized users can access approved branded merchandise, apparel, uniforms, print materials, awards and other products.
Corporate Apparel
Corporate apparel is branded clothing selected for employees, sales teams, events, uniforms, recruiting programs or other company initiatives.
Corporate Gifting
Corporate gifting uses gifts or branded merchandise to recognize employees, thank customers, celebrate milestones or support business relationships.
Corporate Merchandise
Branded products purchased or distributed by an organization for employees, customers, events, recognition programs, marketing campaigns and other business uses.
Custom Packaging
Packaging designed or branded specifically for an organization, campaign, event or merchandise program.
D
Decoration
Decoration is the process used to apply a logo, artwork, name or other design to a product. Methods include embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer, sublimation, engraving and digital printing.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
A digital printing method that applies ink directly to fabric. DTG is often used for detailed, full-color artwork and smaller production quantities.
Direct-to-Film (DTF)
Direct-to-Film (DTF) is a decoration method in which a design is printed onto transfer film and then applied to fabric using heat and pressure.
Drop Shipping
Shipping individual orders directly to their final recipients rather than sending an entire order to one central location.
E
Embroidery
Embroidery is a decoration method that uses thread to stitch a logo or design directly onto apparel, hats, bags and other textile products.
Employee Allowance
A predetermined amount of company-funded credit that employees can use to purchase approved products through a company store.
Employee Recognition Program
An employee recognition program is a structured program for acknowledging achievements, milestones, service anniversaries or other employee contributions using awards, gifts, merchandise or store credits.
Employee Store
An employee store is an online store created for employees to order company-approved apparel, merchandise, uniforms, gifts or other branded products.
ERP Integration
A connection between an online store and an Enterprise Resource Planning system that allows relevant order, accounting, inventory or operational data to move between platforms.
F
Fulfillment
Fulfillment is the process of receiving, processing, picking, packing and shipping orders to their final destination.
Fulfillment Center
A fulfillment center is a facility where merchandise is stored, processed, packed and shipped to customers, employees, locations or other recipients.
G
Gift With Purchase
A promotional item provided when a customer completes a qualifying purchase or meets defined campaign criteria.
Global Sourcing
Global sourcing is the process of identifying and purchasing products from suppliers located in different regions or countries based on product availability, customization, price and production needs.
H
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer is a decoration method that uses heat and pressure to apply a printed, cut or specialty design onto a product or garment.
HRIS Integration
A connection between a company store and a Human Resources Information System that can help automate user access, employee information, eligibility or program rules.
I
Inventory Management
The process of monitoring product quantities, availability, replenishment and movement so merchandise can be maintained at appropriate stock levels.
Inventory Replenishment
The process of restocking products as inventory levels decline, based on demand, established thresholds or purchasing plans.
Inventory-Free Program
An inventory-free merchandise program is designed to reduce or eliminate the need to purchase and warehouse large quantities of finished branded products in advance.
K
Kitting
Kitting is the process of combining multiple individual products into a single packaged kit for distribution or shipment.
Kitting and Assembly
Kitting and assembly is a fulfillment service in which products, printed materials or branded items are gathered, organized and packaged together before shipment.
L
Laser Engraving
Laser engraving uses a laser to permanently mark or remove the surface of a product and is commonly used on metal, wood, glass and other materials.
Logo Merchandise
Products customized with a company's logo or visual identity for marketing, employee use, customer gifts, events and other programs.
M
Made-to-Order Merchandise
Made-to-order merchandise is produced or decorated after an order is placed rather than being maintained as finished inventory.
Merchandise Program
A coordinated system for selecting, branding, distributing and managing merchandise for an organization or specific business initiative.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
The smallest quantity of a product that a supplier or manufacturer will produce or sell in a single order.
N
New Hire Kit
A new hire kit is a curated package of branded merchandise, apparel, equipment, printed materials or other items provided to a new employee during onboarding.
No-Inventory Store
A no-inventory store uses products that can be produced or decorated as orders are received, reducing the amount of finished merchandise that must be warehoused in advance.
O
On-Demand Decoration
On-demand decoration applies branding to a product after an order is received instead of decorating large quantities of finished merchandise in advance.
On-Demand Merchandise
On-demand merchandise is branded merchandise produced or decorated when it is ordered, helping reduce upfront inventory requirements and the risk of obsolete branded products.
Online Company Store
An online company store is a web-based storefront that centralizes an organization's approved branded merchandise, apparel, uniforms, print materials, awards and related products while providing controls for ordering, users, payments, fulfillment and reporting.
Order Fulfillment
Order fulfillment is the complete process of preparing an order for delivery, including processing, picking, packing and shipping.
P
Payroll Deduction
A payment option that allows eligible employee purchases to be deducted from payroll according to an organization's established program and policies.
Pick and Pack
Pick and pack is a fulfillment process in which products are selected from inventory, organized for an individual order and packed for shipment.
Print-on-Demand
Print-on-demand is a production model in which a printed product is created after an order is placed rather than produced in bulk beforehand.
Procurement Integration
Procurement integration connects a company store with an organization's purchasing or procurement system to support approved purchasing workflows and data exchange.
Promotional Products
Promotional products are branded products used to promote an organization, event, campaign, product or service. Examples include drinkware, bags, technology accessories, writing instruments and apparel.
PunchOut
PunchOut is an eProcurement connection that allows an authorized buyer to access a supplier's online catalog from within the buyer's procurement system and return selected items for approval and purchasing.
R
Recognition Program
A recognition program is a structured initiative used to acknowledge employee achievements, milestones, service anniversaries or other contributions through merchandise, awards, gifts or credits.
Redemption Code
A unique code that can be used in an online store to access a specific product, credit, reward or promotional offer.
Reorder Point
A predetermined inventory level that indicates when additional product should be ordered to maintain desired availability.
S
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a decoration method that pushes ink through a prepared screen onto a product or garment. It is commonly used for branded T-shirts, sweatshirts and other apparel.
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication method that allows users to access a company store using existing organizational login credentials rather than maintaining a separate username and password.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique identifier assigned to a specific product or product variation for inventory tracking and order management.
Sublimation
Sublimation is a decoration process that uses heat to transfer dye into compatible materials, producing a durable full-color design that becomes part of the product surface.
Swag
Swag is an informal term for branded merchandise or promotional products distributed to employees, customers, event attendees or other audiences.
Swag Store
A swag store is an online storefront where users can order an organization's branded merchandise and apparel. It may serve employees, customers, partners, event attendees or other approved audiences.
T
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Outsourced logistics services that can include warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, shipping and related supply-chain operations.
Turnaround Time
The amount of time required to produce, process or fulfill an order after the necessary requirements have been received.
U
Uniform Program
A uniform program is a managed system for providing employees with approved workwear, apparel or uniforms, often including eligibility rules, allowances, ordering controls and fulfillment.
User Permissions
Rules that determine which products, pricing, payment methods, locations or store features a particular user or group can access.
V
Variable Data Printing
A digital printing method that allows elements such as names, locations, numbers or other information to change from one printed piece to the next.
Vendor Consolidation
Vendor consolidation is the process of reducing the number of separate suppliers used for related products or services to simplify purchasing, management, reporting and operations.
W
Warehousing
The storage and management of products or materials in a facility until they are needed for fulfillment or distribution.
Welcome Kit
A welcome kit is a curated collection of branded products or materials provided to welcome a new employee, customer, member or participant.
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