Latest news with #DTCbrands
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Cost Of Doing Nothing: Tariffs Could Cut Into Peak Season Profits For E-Commerce Brands
Global e-commerce continues to expand—but profitability is under pressure. With new U.S. tariffs set to take effect Aug. 1 and more trade actions on the horizon, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are heading into peak season facing rising costs, stricter compliance requirements, and growing uncertainty. According to Passport's 2025 survey of e-commerce leaders, 81% of respondents say tariffs are one of their biggest international challenges. More than half have already experienced increased scrutiny from trade authorities in the past year. However, many have yet to adjust their logistics and compliance strategies, putting both margins and customer experience at risk during the most critical sales quarter of the year. In fact, 7 in 8 e-commerce leaders say they've already raised prices (or plan to) during Q4 2025 to offset expected costs from tariffs and de minimis changes. It's a clear signal that brands are bracing for impact. The question is: Will those pricing moves be enough without operational changes behind them? Growth alone no longer guarantees profit. Brands that treat tariffs as a secondary concern may find themselves caught off guard. Passport shares what DTC teams need to know about the rising cost of inaction—and how leading e-commerce brands are preparing now to protect performance through Q4 and beyond. Tariffs Are Reshaping Peak Season Risk Tariff policy isn't just shifting—it's accelerating. Over the past several months, a series of trade developments have added real cost and compliance pressure for e-commerce brands. As we approach peak season, understanding what's already in effect (and what's coming next) is essential to protecting margins and customer experience. What's already in effect: Flat 10% tariff on most imports (effective April 10): A universal 10% tariff now applies to most U.S. imports, replacing country-specific rates for the time being and driving up landed costs across the board. 30% tariff on goods from China and Hong Kong (effective April 10): Chinese-origin products are subject to a combined 30% tariff—10% reciprocal plus 20% trade action—adding significant cost to many e-commerce supply chains. De minimis ended for China and Hong Kong (effective May 2): All shipments now require full customs clearance and are subject to duties, eliminating a key cost-saving mechanism and increasing documentation requirements. Stricter customs enforcement across global markets (ongoing): Authorities in the U.S., EU, and other key regions are stepping up audits and penalties for misclassification, undervaluation, and incomplete documentation—raising the compliance stakes. What's coming Aug. 1: New reciprocal tariffs of up to 50%: Without finalized trade agreements, imports from major U.S. partners—including Brazil, Canada, the EU, and others—could face steep duty increases just as peak shipping volumes ramp up. Together, these changes are driving up costs, complicating customs flows, and increasing the risk of surprise fees or delivery delays, right when brands can least afford it. Global Sales Remain Profitable, Even Amid Rising Complexity Cross-border e-commerce remains a powerful growth engine. In Passport's 2025 whitepaper, 91% of international merchants said global sales are a profitable revenue stream, with half reporting that international orders account for at least 21% of total revenue. However, as tariffs rise and trade requirements tighten, that profitability has become harder to protect. Many brands still rely on outdated cross-border models, leaving them exposed to fluctuating costs, customs disruptions, and compliance risks during the most critical sales period of the year. How Leading Brands Are Getting Ahead of Tariffs To stay competitive this peak season, leading DTC brands are reevaluating their fulfillment strategies and approaching global sales with a sharper operational lens. Top-performing teams aren't just reacting to new tariffs—they're building fulfillment infrastructure that supports profit and performance in a more complex trade environment. 1. In-country enablement for high-volume markets Relocating inventory into key destination markets reduces tariff exposure, improves customs clearance, and opens access to domestic-only sales channels like Amazon and Walmart. It also enables faster shipping, easier returns, and tighter inventory control—key advantages during the holiday rush, when customer expectations are at their peak. In many cases, in-country enablement has shifted from a cost-control tactic to a growth driver. Brands are using it to unlock new revenue streams, meet marketplace requirements, and deliver a better post-purchase experience. 2. Smarter cross-border strategies for emerging markets For regions where in-country warehousing isn't yet justified, brands are investing in tools to make cross-border shipping more predictable and cost-effective. This includes calculating landed costs more accurately at checkout, streamlining customs documentation, and collecting tax IDs in applicable markets to avoid delivery delays. Alongside operational improvements, many brands are also revisiting pricing strategies—testing duty-inclusive pricing and experimenting with different shipping configurations to offset rising costs without hurting conversion. These trends have emerged across recent industry research and reflect how leading e-commerce teams are adapting to a more complex cross-border environment. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, leading brands are segmenting their international strategy—localizing where the volume supports it, optimizing cross-border operations elsewhere, and adjusting pricing in response to evolving tariff and compliance pressures. This level of intentionality is what sets apart brands that grow globally and sustainably. Protecting Peak Season Performance Peak season is not the time to discover hidden tariff costs or compliance issues. With trade conditions changing quickly, brands that wait to adapt risk avoidable delays, margin loss, and customer frustration during their most important sales window. Now's the time to act. Whether through in-country fulfillment, smarter cross-border tools, or a combination of both, brands that take steps today will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty and emerge ahead this holiday season. This story was produced by Passport and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. RELATED CONTENT: Here's How Trump's Tariffs Are Putting A Damper On Black Protective Hairstyles
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The cost of doing nothing: How tariffs could cut into peak season profits for e-commerce brands
The cost of doing nothing: How tariffs could cut into peak season profits for e-commerce brands Global e-commerce continues to expand—but profitability is under pressure. With new U.S. tariffs set to take effect Aug. 1 and more trade actions on the horizon, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are heading into peak season facing rising costs, stricter compliance requirements, and growing uncertainty. According to Passport's 2025 survey of e-commerce leaders, 81% of respondents say tariffs are one of their biggest international challenges. More than half have already experienced increased scrutiny from trade authorities in the past year. But many have yet to adjust their logistics or compliance strategies—putting both margins and customer experience at risk during the most critical sales quarter of the year. In fact, 7 in 8 e-commerce leaders say they've already raised prices (or plan to) during Q4 2025 to offset expected costs from tariffs and de minimis changes. It's a clear signal that brands are bracing for impact. The question is: Will those pricing moves be enough without operational changes behind them? Growth alone no longer guarantees profit. Brands that treat tariffs as a secondary concern may find themselves caught off guard. Passport shares what DTC teams need to know about the rising cost of inaction—and how leading e-commerce brands are preparing now to protect performance through Q4 and beyond. Tariffs Are Reshaping Peak Season Risk Tariff policy isn't just shifting—it's accelerating. Over the past several months, a series of trade developments have added real cost and compliance pressure for e-commerce brands. As we approach peak season, understanding what's already in effect (and what's coming next) is essential to protecting margins and customer experience. What's already in effect: Flat 10% tariff on most imports (effective April 10): A universal 10% tariff now applies to most U.S. imports, replacing country-specific rates for the time being and driving up landed costs across the board. 30% tariff on goods from China and Hong Kong (effective April 10): Chinese-origin products are subject to a combined 30% tariff—10% reciprocal plus 20% trade action—adding significant cost to many e-commerce supply chains. De minimis ended for China and Hong Kong (effective May 2): All shipments now require full customs clearance and are subject to duties, eliminating a key cost-saving mechanism and increasing documentation requirements. Stricter customs enforcement across global markets (ongoing): Authorities in the U.S., EU, and other key regions are stepping up audits and penalties for misclassification, undervaluation, and incomplete documentation—raising the compliance stakes. What's coming Aug. 1: New reciprocal tariffs of up to 50%: Without finalized trade agreements, imports from major U.S. partners—including Brazil, Canada, the EU, and others—could face steep duty increases just as peak shipping volumes ramp up. Together, these changes are driving up costs, complicating customs flows, and increasing the risk of surprise fees or delivery delays—right when brands can least afford it. Global Sales Remain Profitable, Even Amid Rising Complexity Cross-border e-commerce remains a powerful growth engine. In Passport's 2025 whitepaper, 91% of international merchants said global sales are a profitable revenue stream, with half reporting that international orders account for at least 21% of total revenue. But as tariffs rise and trade requirements tighten, that profitability has become harder to protect. Many brands still rely on outdated cross-border models—leaving them exposed to fluctuating costs, customs disruptions, and compliance risks during the most critical sales period of the year. How Leading Brands Are Getting Ahead of Tariffs To stay competitive this peak season, leading DTC brands are reevaluating their fulfillment strategies and approaching global sales with a sharper operational lens. Top-performing teams aren't just reacting to new tariffs—they're building fulfillment infrastructure that supports profit and performance in a more complex trade environment. 1. In-country enablement for high-volume marketsRelocating inventory into key destination markets reduces tariff exposure, improves customs clearance, and opens access to domestic-only sales channels like Amazon and Walmart. It also enables faster shipping, easier returns, and tighter inventory control—key advantages during the holiday rush, when customer expectations are at their peak. In many cases, in-country enablement has shifted from a cost-control tactic to a growth driver. Brands are using it to unlock new revenue streams, meet marketplace requirements, and deliver a better post-purchase experience. 2. Smarter cross-border strategies for emerging marketsFor regions where in-country warehousing isn't yet justified, brands are investing in tools to make cross-border shipping more predictable and cost-effective. This includes calculating landed costs more accurately at checkout, streamlining customs documentation, and collecting tax IDs in applicable markets to avoid delivery delays. Alongside operational improvements, many brands are also revisiting pricing strategies—testing duty-inclusive pricing and experimenting with different shipping configurations to offset rising costs without hurting conversion. These trends have emerged across recent industry research and reflect how leading e-commerce teams are adapting to a more complex cross-border environment. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, leading brands are segmenting their international strategy—localizing where the volume supports it, optimizing cross-border operations elsewhere, and adjusting pricing in response to evolving tariff and compliance pressures. This level of intentionality is what sets apart brands that grow globally and sustainably. Protecting Peak Season Performance Peak season is not the time to discover hidden tariff costs or compliance issues. With trade conditions changing quickly, brands that wait to adapt risk avoidable delays, margin loss, and customer frustration during their most important sales window. Now's the time to act. Whether through in-country fulfillment, smarter cross-border tools, or both, brands that take steps today will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty—and come out ahead this holiday season. This story was produced by Passport and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Engage Commerce: Email Marketing Experts Expand Range of Personalised Campaigns for DTC Brands
London, England – Engage Commerce, a leading UK Email Marketing Agency, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its range of personalised campaigns for DTC brands (Direct-To-Consumer) brands. Now offering laser-focused campaigns for companies specialising in the food and drink, grooming and cosmetics, and jewellery industries, the agency leverages its teams' over 15 years of combined experience to fuel sustainable growth and enhance their clicks, conversions, and sales. With a dedication to curating compelling content that turns subscribers into loyal customers and casual buyers into brand advocates, Engage Commerce dive deep into a brand's data, behaviours, and preferences to create hyper-personalised emails. From dynamic content, tailored product recommendations, and messages that speak directly to each subscriber's interests, the email marketing specialists develop visually appealing, brand-consistent email templates that grab attention. 'At Engage Commerce, we flip the script on traditional email marketing, crafting bold personalised campaigns that don't just land in inboxes but make waves,' said a spokesperson for Engage Commerce. 'Ready to turn fleeting clicks into lasting relationships? Let's disrupt the ordinary together.' Engage Commerce boasts experience with all major platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, to seamlessly integrate email strategies into a brand's existing system. Committed to providing collaborative partnerships, the top email marketing agency keeps clients informed with regular updates on the performance of their campaigns and delivers transparent reporting that utilises real-time data to maximise effectiveness and ROI. Some of the top industries involved in Engage Commerce's recent expansion include: Food and Drink: From untapped health perks to groundbreaking flavours, Engage Commerce crafts dynamic email campaigns that help educate and excite an audience about the real benefits of your products to turn intrigued subscribers into loyal advocates. Health and Fitness: Whether it's nootropic wellness supplements or cutting-edge fitness gear, the Email Marketing experts tell a compelling story that educates and empowers their target audience, showcasing not only the benefits of the products but also building a community around their brand. Home and Garden: Engage Commerce can inspire readers to transform their living spaces into those they've always dreamed of by highlighting the benefits and a brand's unique solutions that turn curiosity into enthusiasm and spark their creativity. Grooming and Cosmetics: The UK email marketing agency helps brands not only follow trends but also set them by inspiring readers to turn daily routines into bold statements of self-expression through educational content about their grooming and cosmetic lines. Jewellery: With the ability to showcase a brand's most iconic pieces, Engage Commerce can help jewellery companies share the story and craftsmanship of their collections, making their brand the go-to for timeless elegance. 'In a world overcrowded with noise, we've been helping brands cut through the chatter and connect on a real level. We're not here to play by the rules; we're here to change the game, and we're just getting started,' furthered the spokesperson for the agency. Engage Commerce invites brands seeking to achieve the impactful email marketing results they need to take their business to the next level to visit the website to schedule a discovery call with the team today. About Engage Commerce Established in 2020, Engage Commerce has been offering industry-leading email marketing services that provide DTC brands with an approach tailored to their unique products, brands, and messages. With a team leveraging 15 years of combined experience in e-commerce and marketing, a personalised, client-centric focus and proud Klaviyo Partners, Engage Commerce helps brands cut through the chatter and connect with their target audience on a real level to achieve real, sustainable results. More Information To learn more about Engage Commerce and its expansion of personalised campaigns for DTC brands, please visit the website at Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Fast Company
23-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
UX and product designers start with the same salaries. They end up miles apart
UX designers and product designers have very similar jobs. They both arrange digital parts. They both use Figma more than other designers do. And, according to a recent Fast Company analysis of design job listings, they start out with pretty much the same entry-level salary, around $70,000 a year. But as their careers progress, those salaries diverge. Among job postings asking that a candidate have between four and five years of experience, the average salary offered for UX designers was about $123,720, while the salary for product designers was $149,850. By the time these types of designers reach more developed stages of their careers, requiring at least eight years of experience, UX designers are offered an average of about $153,920, while product designers can earn $197,579. That's about 28% more for product designers. UX design vs. product design To understand what might be driving the discrepancy in salary between UX and product designers over the course of their careers, it is helpful to look at differences in the actual duties that each type of worker performs, and how their careers typically progress. A UX designer is responsible for the feel and flow of a product, e.g. the user experience, while a product designer oversees both visual elements of an app or website and what types of features it should even have to begin with. Alexander Benz, a UX designer, product manager, and CEO of Blikket, a design and development agency for DTC brands, explains that people who start out as UX designers tend to go on become UX managers, involved in the production of a product's design system, or they become other kinds designers. But as product designers develop in their careers, they begin branching out into other parts of the business, interfacing with stakeholders from across the organization. Subscribe to the Design latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday SIGN UP Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters advertisement The final deadline for Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Awards is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Globe and Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Digital Silk Identifies Surge in Influencer-Led Digital Marketing Campaigns Among U.S. DTC Brands
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning agency specializing in brand strategies, custom websites and digital marketing campaigns, is announcing increased client demand among U.S. direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands for influencer-led digital marketing strategies in 2025. According to new data from eMarketer, U.S. influencer marketing spend may potentially exceed $10 billion in 2025. This rise is linked to a growing preference for performance-focused influencer partnerships, micro-creator collaborations, and shoppable short-form video content. As DTC brands seek to optimize marketing budgets, many are reallocating spend toward influencer strategies that aim to deliver targeted reach and measurable customer engagement. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Influencer Campaign Trends for DTC Brands Digital Silk has observed a shift among emerging DTC brands toward leveraging niche creator partnerships and integrating trackable special offer codes to monitor sales performance. Recent research highlights that short-form videos can drive up to 2.5 times more engagement compared to static posts, while micro- and nano-creators are increasingly favoured for niche audience targeting. Core Elements of Influencer Campaigns Micro-Creator Collaborations: Niche influencers can potentially bring higher engagement rates and build trust within specialized audiences. UGC Whitelisting: Brands amplify paid media by running ads through creator accounts, with the aim of lowering cost per thousand impressions (CPM). Shoppable Short-Form Video: Interactive links streamline the path from content view to checkout Attribution Tracking: Unique special offer codes and affiliate links provide clear sales data. "Influencer campaigns are evolving into measurable, performance-driven marketing tools," says Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "For DTC brands, they offer opportunities to connect with audiences in authentic and trackable ways." U.S. influencer marketing spend may potentially surpass $10 billion in 2025. Brands increasingly leveraging micro- and nano-creators for targeted audience reach. Short-form videos achieving up to 2.5x higher engagement compared to static posts. Looking Ahead As influencer marketing continues to evolve, DTC brands are expected to deepen focus on scalable, data-driven campaigns that blend authenticity with measurable results. Digital Silk remains committed to helping brands navigate this dynamic landscape by providing strategic digital marketing services tailored to the unique demands of the influencer economy. About Digital Silk Digital Silk is a full-service Digital Marketing Agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk delivers industry-leading digital experiences through strategic branding and cutting-edge web design with the aim to drive more conversions and digital marketing services to boost awareness and engagement.
