Unionwear, a New Jersey-based manufacturer, has experienced a significant surge in demand for its hats and caps due to recent political events. Founded by Mitch Cahn in 1992, Unionwear specializes in producing union-made, American-manufactured headwear, aligning with the values of various political campaigns.

The company’s prominence grew notably when Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential candidate, leading to a substantial increase in orders for Harris-themed merchandise. Anticipating this shift, Cahn had prepared $50,000 worth of hats and raw materials, which paid off when Harris took the lead; the hats sold out on the first day. Since Biden’s withdrawal, Unionwear received orders for over 100,000 hats. This surge countered a slow political merchandise season earlier in the year.

The Harris-Walz campaign’s merchandise strategy has effectively leveraged internet culture to engage supporters and fundraise. Notably, the campaign’s camouflage hats, produced by Unionwear, sold out rapidly, leading to the production of over 47,000 hats and raising nearly $1.9 million. This approach underscores a shift in political merchandise towards embracing memes and cultural trends, resonating particularly with Gen Z voters who express support through fashion.

Unionwear’s ability to swiftly adapt to political shifts and cultural trends has solidified its position as a key player in the political merchandise landscape. By producing union-made, American-manufactured products, the company continues to meet the evolving demands of political campaigns and their supporters.

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