Aperol wanted to bring its first dedicated merchandise shop to the US while strengthening brand awareness, loyalty, consumer engagement, and the reach of its ambassador and sponsorship programs.
The approach
Craftwork developed a custom lifestyle merchandise and content program around Aperol’s joyful orange identity. The work connected the official shop, Tennis Capsule launch, US Open sponsorship activation, influencer program, lifestyle content, promotional campaigns, paid marketing, list growth, and rewards redemption into one brand experience.
The opportunity
Make a joyful brand world tangible.
Aperol’s first dedicated US merchandise shop created a new way to extend brand love beyond the drink, connecting product, sponsorship, content, community, and rewards into a lifestyle experience people could participate in.
01 / Launch the official shop
Make the first US merchandise experience feel unmistakably Aperol.
Craftwork created an enterprise-level consumer experience for Aperol’s first US merch shop, giving the brand a dedicated place to turn its joyful identity into product and direct-to-consumer engagement.
Recommended image: A clean storefront view of the Aperol US shop paired with the hero Tennis Capsule assortment. Show the premium orange visual system and the path from brand world to product.
02 / Expand the sponsorship
Turn a major sports moment into something people can take with them.
The initial drop introduced an exclusive apparel collection inspired by Aperol’s signature orange hue, tenniscore, and racquet-sport aesthetics. The capsule connected the US Open partnership to daytime social occasions and a premium lifestyle product story.
Recommended image: Aperol Tennis Capsule apparel in a US Open or tennis setting, supported by a tasteful sponsorship or editorial frame that makes the cultural connection immediately clear.
03 / Build the ambassador community
Give creators a product story worth showing.
The influencer program expanded Aperol’s campaign through custom, culturally relevant lifestyle merchandise. The product gave ambassadors and creators a way to showcase brand love while growing the brand’s community.
Recommended image: A creator or ambassador wearing the Tennis Capsule in a natural social setting, with Aperol present through styling, product, or an occasion rather than a forced product pose.
04 / Make the lifestyle visible
Carry one joyful idea through content, promotion, and paid media.
Lifestyle content and promotional campaigns gave the collection a world beyond the storefront. Paid marketing and list growth then helped the work reach more people, increase traffic, and grow the consumer data audience.
Recommended image: A connected collage of lifestyle photography, paid social, promotional creative, email or signup capture, and the collection page. Keep the visual focused on the brand experience, not dashboards.
05 / Reward participation
Turn purchase behavior into another reason to come back.
The rewards program enabled consumers to redeem points earned through Aperol purchases for exclusive premium merchandise, extending the program from a launch moment into an ongoing loyalty experience.
Recommended image: A clear rewards redemption view paired with the premium merchandise available through points. Show the path from earning to selecting the reward without exposing personal customer data.
What this proved
A lifestyle program works harder when every touchpoint feels connected.
01
Sponsorship became something people could wear
The Tennis Capsule gave Aperol’s US Open partnership a product people could discover, wear, and carry into summer social occasions.
02
Influence works harder with a product world
Culturally relevant lifestyle merchandise gave ambassadors and creators something more meaningful to share than a one-off brand mention.
03
Rewards extended the relationship
Aperol’s rewards program created a path for consumers to redeem purchase-earned points for exclusive premium merchandise.
Selected launch results
A first drop with a connected path to participation.
1,000+Orders at launch2,500+Total units sold3.25%Online store conversion rate
Historical program results. Performance varies by brand, audience, offer, and media investment.