The University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham, a prestigious institution with a rich history, recently underwent a major rebrand. As part of this transformation, they wanted to refresh their branded merchandise with a new range of high-quality, sustainable apparel and accessories.
They approached Infinity Inc. to design and produce a new collection, ensuring every item aligned with their updated brand identity. As well as being available in their on-campus store, the university wanted a new online platform where staff, colleagues, and alumni could easily purchase the range. The challenge? Everything had to be ready for Welcome Week, just 8 weeks away.
To get things moving, our specialist education team met with the company running the university’s on-campus store to discuss the existing product range, in-store point-of-sale (POS) materials, and merchandising strategy.
With this insight, the Infinity team began designing a new apparel collection and signage that would reflect the refreshed branding and build awareness of the campus gift shop.
Sustainability was a top priority for the university, so we selected garments from Stanley/Stella, a brand known for its high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Our in-house design team then collaborated closely with the University of Birmingham’s brand team to ensure that every item met their new brand guidelines and maintained a cohesive look and feel.
The university crest, with its intricate design, presented a unique challenge. To ensure we could accurately reproduce its details, we conducted extensive print tests during the design process. After several trials, we determined that Direct to Film (DTF) printing was the best method for apparel, as it beautifully captured the crest’s complexity. For accessories like branded beanies, we opted for silicone badges to add a premium touch.
To complement the in-store offering, we built a custom-branded e-commerce website. The new site allows customers to easily browse and purchase university merchandise online and choose between home delivery or in-store pickup. Designed with user experience in mind, the site has made shopping for university-branded merchandise effortless.
Since launching, both the online and campus store have seen strong sales, with regular stock reorders. In the first 3 months the website averaged over 450 visitors per week, with traffic increasing by 79% during Winter Graduation. We continue to collaborate with the university’s marketing team to improve the website’s SEO, to boost traffic and sales even further.
"Today, I had the pleasure of working with Infinity Inc., the supplier behind the University of Birmingham gift shop website, on the launch of a new range of branded merchandise. What sets them apart is their commitment to continuous improvement - through quarterly review meetings with clients, they evaluate everything from commercial performance to process efficiency and identify new opportunities for growth.
A big thank you to the Infinity Inc. team for their dedication in making this launch a resounding success. The new stock and website update are already receiving great feedback, and I'm excited to see how this partnership continues to evolve."
PETER KELLEND
University of Birmingham - Head of Retail and Brands
Following the successful launch of the University's core branded apparel, the team wanted to introduce a celebration range for Pride ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month.
Our in-house design team developed a vibrant concept inspired by the iconic Old Joe campus building, hand-drawing the structure and incorporating the Pride colours to create a bold and meaningful design. The university’s brand team loved the concept, leading to the production of a range that included t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and water bottles.
The launch of this collection across university channels was met with great enthusiasm, resulting in a 280% increase in weekly website traffic to the online gift shop.
By combining sustainability, smart branding, and a seamless online shopping experience, Infinity Inc. has helped the University of Birmingham create a collection that resonates with students, staff, and alumni, on time and beyond expectations.
During our 26 years of designing and producing branded merchandise for universities we have made a vital contribution to the marketing campaigns and retail offerings of many of the UK’s top universities with:
- Gift shops on campus
- Online stores
- Branded merchandise
- Leisurewear, sportswear and team wear
Find out how we can bring your university's brand to life with our merchandise and retail solutions.