Music Artists are expanding their Merchandise choices

As some of you may know, one of my interests is music and I love artists like Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and many more.

When these artists release a new album or single, obviously they give you the opportunity to purchase the CD or Vinyl version and the occasional Jumper.

However, I have noticed in the last couple of years that artists now are climbing out their shells and are trying new approaches in terms of the types of merchandise that is available for their fans to buy.

An example of this is Taylor promoting her new album 'Lover' which is released later this month. Although she has the CD and Vinyl ready for pre-order, she has also got a range of product bundles and her own collection of clothing, straws and other items which brand and promote the new album 'Lover'.

In a recent Instagram Live Taylor spoke out on how she feels the deluxe bundles of her album gives fans the opportunity to connect closer to her career and music that she has created, especially with the 'Lover journals' which are part of the deluxe bundles. By Taylor adding these to the bundles her fans are going to buy these more expensive bundles to allow them to have the insights of her career and her music. Other items in the collection include sunglasses, T-Shirts and even a watch.

Some artists are even bringing out collections with other brands to promote their albums. For example, Ariana Grande has recently created two clothing lines with H&M promoting her latest two albums 'Sweetner' and 'Thank You, Next'. The lines made up of items such as jumpers, socks and bodysuits allows fans to wear their trendy, in-fashion clothing pieces with the stars iconic songs or lyrics on them.

These actually look in my opinion better than her own merchandise and its affordable for the fans who can't afford the merchandise on tour. The clothing items are also sustainable-friendly which is another thing H&M are hugely praised for and obviously whoever created these pieces of clothing wanted to keep with H&M's morals which I praise hugely!!

So the question is... Why are Artists now doing this type of merchandising then what they used to and carry on to do? Are fans expecting more? Do artists need more money and rely on their merchandise to do just that?

Express your thoughts below.