You’re Not Alone: A Note on Navigating this past Week
Hi there- tough week? Me too.
This past week has felt eerily similar to April 2020. Plans are shifting by the hour, the news is overwhelming, and it’s hard to know what tomorrow will bring. I’ve spoken with dozens of you recently, and I’ve heard the same thing over and over. You’re anxious, frustrated, and frozen. You're not alone.
It’s clear we’ve crossed a line. The last two weeks mark a real “before and after” moment. While we’ve temporarily dodged the worst of the tariffs (funny how 10% now feels like a win), the U.S. and China seem committed to escalating tensions. The world is shifting, and quickly.
In times like these, the best operators focus on what they can control. You can avoid the mistakes that so many are making right now. Here’s the framework I’m sharing with clients right now:
Avoid one-way doors. Now is not the time for rash decisions like mass layoffs or shutting down production lines. Supply chain isn’t day trading. You want decisions that hold up even if conditions change tomorrow.
Keep production moving. Consider producing as normal, then holding inventory at origin or in Canada. If things stabilize, you’re in a strong position to avoid a stock out or the bull whip effect. If not, disposing of inventory is still be cheaper than paying a 125% tariff.
Start building your Plan B. Assume the world is dividing into spheres of influence. Use China to serve non-U.S. markets, and begin establishing a secondary option, likely nearshore, for U.S. demand. Moving to the U.S. directly may not be realistic in the short term, but Mexico, Central America, and others offer viable paths forward.
At Izba, we’re actively running sourcing studies, mapping raw material flows and getting real quotes across multiple geographies, to help brands understand their options. Our team is also having a discussion on LinkedIn next Tuesday at noon est.
If you’re feeling stuck or want to think through your next moves, I’m here. No pressure, just support.
Stay steady. You’ve got this.
Best,
Aaron Alpeter
Related Insights
How to Avoid Retail Chargebacks Before Your First Shipment
Most first-shipment chargebacks are preventable. Here is how to avoid retail chargebacks before your first shipment, and the five compliance areas that cause most of them.
How to Build an S&OP Process for a DTC Brand (Without an Enterprise Team)
Most S&OP guides assume a demand planner and an ERP system. Here is a right-sized S&OP process for a DTC brand doing $2M to $20M: the monthly cadence, roles, and data you actually need.
What Is a Routing Guide? A Retail Compliance Primer
A routing guide is the retailer's rulebook for how your shipment has to move: carriers, labeling, ASNs, and the chargebacks you'll face if you miss a step.