Beyond the Order Form

Web stores are no longer just for retail brands or apparel companies—they’ve become one of the most effective tools for streamlining merch sales and apparel ordering across nearly every industry. From government agencies to restaurants, organizations are ditching spreadsheets and manual processes in favor of branded online stores that make ordering smoother for everyone involved.

We’re launching a blog series—“Why Web Stores Work”—to explore how different industries are using web stores to solve everyday problems, boost engagement, and simplify gear and apparel.

We’re kicking things off with one of the busiest, most merch-heavy environments out there: universities.

Why Web Stores Work for Universities

Between student life, staff departments, fundraising, and campus events, universities are constantly producing and distributing gear. But managing it all manually—via email threads, spreadsheets, cash collection, or last-minute orders—can be overwhelming.

Web stores make it easier for organizers and better for buyers, while keeping campus merch consistent and simple to manage.

Easier for Organizers

• Eliminate manual order tracking, cash collection, and size spreadsheets
• Set up pop-up stores for specific timeframes or events
• Automate payments, reporting, and fulfillment
• Ensure brand consistency across departments and groups

Better for Buyers

• Clean, mobile-friendly shopping experience
• Easy product previews and size selection
• Pay online and choose delivery or pickup
• More likely to complete a purchase when the process is friction-free

University Use Cases: Who Can Use a Web Store?

Student Organizations & Clubs

• Fraternities/sororities: rush shirts, formals, philanthropy events
• Academic & cultural clubs: logo tees, event merch, volunteer shirts
• Student media: branded gear for the campus radio, paper, or yearbook

Departments & Faculty

• Admissions, housing, IT, dining: branded polos or work apparel
• Staff appreciation or new hire onboarding kits
• Open house or campus visit day shirts for faculty and student workers

Orientation & Welcome Week

• Pre-order orientation kits with tees, water bottles, and lanyards
• Family weekend merch
• Class-specific gear for incoming students (e.g., "Class of 2029")

Campus Events

• Homecoming, career fairs, awareness weeks, or conferences
• Volunteer shirts and staff gear for large-scale programming
• Event-branded merch for resale or giveaways

Alumni & Fundraising

• Limited-edition gear for reunions or campaigns
• Cause-based fundraising (e.g., scholarship drives or awareness initiatives)
• Regional alumni chapter stores

Campus Retail & Pop-Ups

• Seasonal spirit wear drops
• Finals week or holiday gifting
• Collaborations with student designers or local artists

Team & Program-Specific Gear

• Marching band, theater, choir, and art departments
• Lab coats or scrubs for nursing and medical students
• Culinary or technical program uniforms

Finding (and Expanding) Your Campus Customers

Looking to break into the university market or expand your current reach? You don’t need to start at the top. Universities are often decentralized, which means individual departments and organizations may handle their own ordering—making them easier to approach.

Start small by reaching out to:

• Campus clubs or student orgs listed on the university’s website

• Smaller departments like housing, dining, or IT that regularly outfit staff

• Event organizers for upcoming campus events like career fairs, open houses, or welcome weeks (most schools publish these on their online calendars)

• On-campus retailers or bookstores that may want to launch a limited-run pop-up store

If you already work with one group—like Athletics or Alumni Relations—ask if there are subgroups or chapters you could support. For example, regional alumni groups often host their own events and would benefit from dedicated stores. Word-of-mouth goes a long way on campus, and one successful store can quickly turn into a dozen more.

Coming Up Next...

Universities are just the start. In the coming weeks, we’ll take a look at how other industries—from restaurants and first responders to government agencies and professional services—are simplifying merch with web stores.

Each post will include clear use cases, real-world applications, and ideas you can apply to your own organization (or share with your customers).

Want to be the first to know when a new post drops? Subscribe and follow us on social @teamchipply to stay in the loop.

Resources

Why Web Stores Work

Share this one-pager with university clients to show how web stores make it easier to sell and manage branded gear—for athletics, student orgs, and more.

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