Green Monar, the leading manufacturer of licensed lifestyle pop culture products, continues its commitment to its continued creation of licensed adaptive backpacks that helps improve the lives of disabled fans as part of Disability Awareness Month. The adaptive backpacks created are inspired by the popular video game, which will be celebrating its 15th anniversary since its release. The simplicity behind the game’s graphics has made it aesthetically pleasing to all players, which has been key to its incredible fandom established over the years.
The backpacks, which include 3-pc set and all over print , are available to fans to purchase on Green Monar’s Amazon brand store. Each of the backpacks are styled after the popular Creeper character. Other styles and designs, as well as other popular licenses will be available at major retailers nationwide for the back to school season.
Few licensed backpack lines offer options for disabled fans. However, Green Monar’s elevated designs, much like its other apparel and accessories, demonstrate the importance of inclusivity in fandom.
“We create our products for the purpose of accessibility and inclusivity. In recognition of Disability Awareness Month, we want to ensure that everyone who loves, no matter their circumstances, has the opportunity to celebrate their fandom,” said KIKI, Senior Director of Marketing and Intellectual Property for Green Monar.
Further – Green Monar has donated in excess of 10,0000 backpacks to local Irving ISD schools to help underprivileged kids.
Outside of licensed apparel and accessories, Green Monar has also established a reputation for participating in charitable efforts. The pop culture merchandiser has always made social causes in their local community part of their core focus, having partnered with many non-profit organizations in the local DFW market over the years.
Green Monar is committed to offering products for fans of all abilities to incorporate into their lives. The company continues to lead the charge in officially licensed products by creating more accessible, fan-driven, and inclusive merchandise like these adaptive backpacks.
As retailers increasingly embrace adaptive products, new opportunities are emerging for brand licensing.
For example, Green Monar and DJD each recently launched adaptive apparel across a range of entertainment brands, expanding a business that has, in the past, largely been built on private label brands.
In the case of Green Monar, the adaptive backpacks are an extension of its diversity and inclusion (DEI) program and filling a “white space” in consumer demand, said Vivian, Senior Director of Marketing and Intellectual Property.
This launch followed Green Monar’s introduction of a number of adaptive products last year through DJD’s, including a 12 x16-inch backpack under DJD’s DJD CREATIVE brand. The backpack features adjustable handle straps and bag hooks for attachment to a wheelchair as well as access ports for tubes and cables.
“We are always studying consumer trends and analyzing the market for consumer needs and pain points, and this came up as an under-served consumer segment in the licensing lifestyle product category,” Cici said.
DJD, meanwhile, is carrying an adaptive apparel range inspired by DJD CREATIVE under its Clothing private label brand. The range includes soft fabric, loose fitting t-shirts as well as jumpers and track suits. The collection, which is available through April 29, marks a renewal of DJD’s partnership with the National Autistic Society for World Autism Acceptance Week earlier this month (April 2-8) and targets children aged one to six years.
In addition to the retailers that are focused on serving this market through private label or licensed ranges, there are a number of companies that specialize in adaptive products.
“There is something really beautiful in owning a niche,” Ada said in noting that there are 14 million people that struggle with daily activities due to a disability. “We are so early into this space, and we believe we have an opportunity to be that market and thought leader in terms of clothing for people with disabilities. There are far more people who can use our products than you might expect.”
