Why US Apparel is Your Next Big Growth Move
The US e-commerce market is booming. In 2024, Americans spent no less than $1.192 trillion online – more than twice the 2019 level. E-commerce grew 7.5% in 2024, compared to only 2.6% for retail as a whole.
This surge in interest creates a massive opportunity in the field of print-on-demand apparel. As a seller tapping into this market, all you need is a shrewdly chosen product range and a dependable POD partner – and you can ride the tailwinds of rapid growth and huge buyer demand.
Apparel: A Bestselling E-Commerce Segment
Apparel dominates US online spending. In fact, clothing is the #1 e-commerce category by consumer uptake. A survey found 43% of Americans bought clothing online in 2024 – more than any other category – with apparel sales at $162.9 billion for 2024.
Here at merchOne we have an established reputation for POD apparel, and we’re consolidating with the launch of 7 new pieces, all fulfilled in the US. That means we’re now better positioned than ever to help you access and exploit this huge e-commerce segment.
Our carefully chosen portfolio of print-on-demand tees, hoodies and sweatshirts will meet proven customer demand. And our apparel is designed to meet the expectations of today’s US buyers – helping you establish strong, lasting relationships with your customers.
What US Buyers Expect
US customers have high expectations for the clothes they buy – especially when it comes to speed, quality, and brand. Let’s look at what you need to offer if you want to thrive in this lucrative market:
- Fast, reliable shipping. Today’s shoppers want quick delivery, and if you’re shipping from outside the US it can be impossible to meet their expectations. And delays cost sales – in one study 23% of consumers abandoned carts due to slow shipping.
- Low shipping costs. 90% of Americans will abandon a purchase if shipping is too expensive. So along with slower delivery times, the higher costs of fulfillment from outside the United States can be a no-no for potential customers.
- Quality fabrics and trusted brands. US apparel shoppers expect soft, comfortable clothes from familiar brands. Even if your T-shirt manufacturer is a houseful name in Europe, that name might mean nothing to American buyers.
So how does merchOne meet these expectations? With our new range of locally fulfilled apparel, we offer a range of benefits to buyers in the United States:
- Speedy domestic fulfillment. Our apparel lines are printed right here in the US and shipped door-to-door within just 4 business days. Compare that to the 5–20 days some prominent POD fulfillers will take to deliver from the EU.
- Cheaper shipping and no international duties. When your orders are fulfilled within the United States, you’ll save money on long-distance shipping and on international duty fees/tariffs too. Lower costs mean more competitive pricing and fewer cart drop-offs.
- Trusted brands. We print your designs on apparel made by brands that are already familiar to US customers – brands with a reputation for quality design and manufacture, like Bella+Canvas, Comfort Colors and Gildan.
Promising fast, affordable shipping, and featuring established brand names is a surefire way to win those all-important first purchases – and boost repeat sales too.
Meanwhile the reduced cost of domestic fulfillment means you make more profit per unit too, giving you a huge advantage over competitors who ship internationally.
Our New US-Based Apparel Lineup
We’re excited to introduce 7 new apparel products which will all reach your buyers direct from US warehouses.
Our range focuses on items which are proven winners. T-shirts are of course one of the most lucrative products worldwide, while hoodies and sweatshirts are bestsellers too, especially in cooler months.
Manufactured by trusted premium names in the US casualwear sector, each of these new pieces has been chosen for its rare combination of comfort and print suitability:
Tees:
- Unisex T-Shirt Gildan 5000: An American classic: the 5000 tee (5.3 oz/yd²) has a timeless relaxed cut, ribbed crewneck, and no side seams for a clean finish. All cotton is 100% US-grown and dyed with OEKO-TEX® certified inks. With its smooth print-friendly finish, the Gildan 5000 is the ideal affordable staple.
- Unisex T-Shirt Bella+Canvas 3001: A lightweight but durable tee (4.2 oz/yd²) made of Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. It’s exceptionally soft and preshrunk for a true-to-size fit, with shoulder taping and a tear-away tag for comfort. This POD classic has an ultra-smooth surface for superb print fidelity.
- Unisex T-Shirt Comfort Colors 1717: A medium-heavy tee (6.1 oz/yd²) cut in a relaxed modern fit. Made of 100% soft US ring-spun cotton, it’s pigment-dyed for a vintage, “worn-in” look right off the rack. The tubular knit (no side seams) and pre-shrunk fabric ensure durability and consistent sizing.
Hoodies:
- Unisex Hoodie Gildan 18500: A medium-heavy cotton/poly pullover (8 oz/yd²) from Gildan’s Heavy Blend line. It’s made with MVS air-jet spun fabric for reduced pilling and a smooth surface, ensuring your prints are super crisp. Gildan’s low-impact OEKO-TEX® give your customers total peace of mind.
- Unisex Hoodie Lane Seven 14001: A premium cotton/poly blend hoodie (8.25 oz/yd²) designed for year-round comfort. It features a cozy fleece interior and 100% cotton face for superb print results. A large kangaroo pouch, ribbed cuffs and hem, and double-needle stitching complete this high-end pullover.
Sweatshirts:
- Unisex Sweatshirt Gildan 18000: A classic crewneck sweatshirt (8 oz/yd²) blending US cotton and durable polyester. The fabric is crafted with MVS spinning, giving an extra-smooth face for maximum print impact and excellent pilling resistance. Spandex ribbing at the collar, cuffs and hem provides stretch and shape retention.
- Unisex Sweatshirt Lane Seven 14004: A premium-fit crewneck (8.25 oz/yd²) with a slim-but-comfortable cut. It has a 100% cotton face and a tight-knit 3-end fleece backing, delivering a smooth printing surface plus serious warmth. High-quality details include double-needle topstitching on all seams and twill neck tape.
Each item in our US apparel range is designed for exceptional print performance, with smooth, clean fabric surfaces that allow the closest fidelity to your unique designs.
But of course, successful custom apparel needs to be wearable too. And your buyers will love the relaxed, cozy appeal of these American classics – all manufactured by tried-and-tested names with the ring of quality.
How to Get Started with merchOne
Want to start selling premium POD apparel to customers across the United States? Thanks to our streamlined processes you’ll be set up in no time! Just follow these instructions to get going:
Step 1: Create your store
Create a merchOne account and add your new store.
Step 2: Enter store details
Choose a store name, URL, selling region (select North America if you’re selling in the US) and choose an integration (e.g. API, Order Desk, Teeinblue, Customily).
Step 3: Set preferences and activate
Confirm your store settings and add a valid billing method (this is required before activation – but note that you’ll never pay us a penny until you make your first sale).
Finally, activate your store. You’re now fully set up and ready to receive orders!
Ready to Grow Your Store with US Apparel?
If you want a piece of the fast-expanding custom apparel market, and you’re looking for a dependable POD partner to launch your store, you’ve come to the right place.
Check out our top-quality portfolio, upload a design, and create unique products your buyers will love. With merchOne’s new US apparel line, faster shipping and higher margins are just a few clicks away.
If you have any questions or need help, our team is here to support you. So let’s make this your biggest growth move yet!
