We’ve been following some of the consolidation in the independent recorded-music sector this year closely, but now there’s an example in the merchandise space.

Indie merch firms Down Right Merchandise and Overcast Merch are merging to form a new company called Armada. Both originally came from the punk, hardcore and metal scenes but have been expanding, with combined payouts of more than $30m to their clients. “Armada will have greater ability to support more creative projects in branding and merchandising at a time when merch and ecommerce are becoming essential parts of any public figure or performer’s business,” said Overcast co-founder Andrew Doyle.

The companies are already managing more than 250 stores for artists and brands, and their stated goal is to “rival major labels’ merch operations in size and scope”. “The geographic spread and connections, plus our strengths in physical production and D2C commerce, means we’ll be able to serve more people in more ways together. It just made sense,” said Down Right CEO Seamus Menihane.