KFC and Crocs have entered into a collaboration to create a fried chicken-themed ‘Bucket Clog’, complete with chicken-scented charms. As young people engage with fashion in a more playful, tongue-in-cheek way, iconic brands are luring fans with lighthearted and ironic merch.

Branded merchandise was once solely found at business conventions and in the wardrobes of fervent fans, but it’s enjoying a renaissance as Gen Yers and Zers seek new ways of expressing their identity. What does this resurgence reveal of the shifting nature of consumer-brand relationships?

A toy version of Baby Yoda, the Mandalorian character with a cultish fanbase, has become a best-seller in Amazon’s toys category. Spawning an online frenzy after the show debuted on Disney+ in November 2019, Baby Yoda’s popularity shows the power of the meme to propel purchasing behavior.

While Netflix has long reigned supreme among OTT television providers, Disney+ is entering the ‘streaming wars’ with a vast catalog of content. As viewing habits change and choice fatigue persists, can Disney tap a captive audience? And will it be able to usurp Netflix’s top spot?