Fast-Food giant McDonald’s has a long and successful history of merchandising its brand. Now they have taken it online for the holiday season with their website, Golden Arches Unlimited.
The first lineup consists of 20 products, most of them aimed towards winterwear, like hoodies, socks, and beanies. Other products include ornaments, accessories, and t-shirts. All the products are consistent with the McDonald’s branding – be it the white-red-yellow color combination, sesame seeds pattern or the McDonald’s logo. The first batch was perhaps in limited quantity since most products are already out of stock on the website. However, the company says that it will soon re-stock and try to make them available for most customers.
This isn’t the first time the global fast-food chain has dipped its beak in the e-commerce sector. Since the 1980s, McDonald’s has often collaborated with other brands to sell its merchandise. In 2017, the company launched a limited merchandise collection called McDelievery Collection. However, this is the first time the company is entirely facilitating the e-commerce aspect of the merchandise, from start to finish. If successful, it could open a whole new business avenue for the company. Company officials have already said that the success of the opening stint could motivate them to offer such products regularly.
But of course, McDonald’s isn’t the only fast-food chain to try its hands on e-commerce this season. Dunkin’ Donuts and White Castle have both opened holiday-exclusive gift shops for its customers. Seeing the success these brands are experiencing in the e-commerce sector, one can only anticipate new rivals in the already-competitive sector.