When it comes to online stores, one size definitely does not fit all. Some customers want a short-term pop-up for a specific event. Others want a permanent space where employees, fans, or members can shop year-round. That’s where catalog stores come in.
Also known as year-round stores, 24/7 stores, company stores, 365 stores, or POD (print-on-demand) stores, catalog stores stay open much longer than a typical pop-up group store—sometimes up to 15 months in Chipply. They give your customers the ability to say “yes” anytime someone asks, “Can I still order that?”
And in today’s world of Amazon Prime expectations, having products at their fingertips can be a big win.
How Catalog Stores Work in Chipply
Catalog stores work just like group stores (or “pop-ups”) in Chipply—you choose the products, set up the store, and decide how often orders will be produced. You might batch them daily, weekly, or on another schedule that fits your workflow.
Because orders in catalog stores are fulfilled in smaller batches (sometimes even one at a time), it’s important to select products with deep inventory and fast shipping. Many Chipply dealers lean on reliable vendors like SanMar to make sure products are always available and can ship quickly.
Catalog Stores vs. Group Stores
While catalog stores are a great solution for organizations that need year-round merch—think companies with high employee turnover, ongoing fundraising needs, or fanbases that want merch anytime—there are trade-offs. Small-batch production, lower minimums, and shipping single items all add up, which means a single hoodie in a catalog store could end up costing significantly more than if it were sold through a bulk pop-up run.
Group stores naturally create urgency. They run for a limited time, often include countdown clocks, and feel more exclusive. That sense of scarcity encourages shoppers to act fast, boosting engagement and sales. Catalog stores, being always open, require a bit more creativity to inspire action. Features like e-Certificates, promo codes, limited-time designs, or special deals can help drive shoppers to act sooner rather than later—even in a year-round store.
The Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
One model that works particularly well is the hybrid approach. Instead of launching a single year-round store that offers all branded merchandise, a catalog store is set up using staple products and logos. This store will remain open continuously, keeping essential merch available any time someone wants it. Then, for specific sports, departments, or events, short-term group stores can be launched with targeted designs, limited edition merch, or other special promotions.
This strategy keeps pricing competitive, builds excitement, and ensures customers always have access to what they need. Many Chipply dealers, including our sister company Burghardt Sporting Goods (BSG), use this approach to maximize both engagement and accessibility while maintaining healthy margins.
Switching Between Store Types Is Simple
One of the biggest perks of running stores in Chipply is that there’s no extra math when deciding between a catalog store and a group store. There are no monthly licensing or hosting fees; once you’re onboarded, Chipply only charges 3.5% on orders—regardless of store type. That fee applies only to products and decoration, not to cart peripherals such as product personalizations, size upcharges, fundraising, shipping, handling, or taxes. In other words, we only make money when you do, so you can focus on choosing the model that works best for your customers without worrying about complex pricing structures.
Which Model Is Right for You?
If your customer base values 24/7 access and you can select fast-shipping, in-stock products, catalog stores can be a great tool in your store lineup. But if your goal is to maximize sales, build excitement, and keep prices sharp, group stores or a hybrid model might be your best bet.
With Chipply, you don’t have to choose just one—you can mix and match store types to fit each client’s needs.