The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated e-commerce growth — it’s been forecasted that online sales grew by 32.4% in 2020. The types of products consumers are interested in have also shifted, with exercise bands, kayak accessories, kitchen furniture, and others seeing...
Sourcing
Manufacturing in India: Is it a Viable Alternative to China?
There is nothing like a global pandemic to make you rethink your supply chain strategy. Long before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on global markets, companies worldwide sought to mitigate supply chain risks. There was already a trend of limiting dependence on China through a...
OEM vs. ODM: What Importers Need to Know
OEM and ODM are two acronyms you probably have come across as an importer. And chances are, right where you are; you are within arm’s reach of several OEM and ODM products. But what exactly is the difference between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and an...
What is a Bill of Materials? Here are Answers To 5 FAQs About the BOM
Are you a consumer product importer or eCommerce seller looking for manufacturers or suppliers? You may have come across the term BOM and been confused by it. You also may have asked yourself: what is a BOM, and do I really need to take a look at this document before...
Manufacturing in Malaysia: An Overview for Consumer Product Importers
Many importers have adopted a “China +1” approach in recent years. Over the last decade, labor costs in China have steadily risen, and the country’s government — as evidenced by their Made in China 2025 plan — is moving away from low-cost, labor-intensive goods and...
Thailand Manufacturing: An Alternative Worth Exploring?
The trade war and pandemic have made importers think long and hard about where they should produce their products. Many consumer product brands that previously relied exclusively on China have come to adopt a China +1 approach. To mitigate supply chain risks, they...
Manufacturing in Pakistan: Is It A Good Option for Importers?
Are you manufacturing your products in China but considering alternatives? A Gartner survey of “260 global supply chain leaders in February and March 2020 found that 33% had moved sourcing and manufacturing activities out of China or plan to do so in the next two to...
5 Tips to Help You Work With Chinese Suppliers in 2021
As a result of the US-China trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic, many importers have either moved production away from China or are considering a move in the future. Other countries in Asia and some in Latin America have seen increased interest and export volumes as...
What is a T/T Payment? How to Pay Suppliers in China
For new e-commerce sellers, sending that first payment to a Chinese supplier can be confusing. With all the different options available — Paypal, Alibaba Trade Assurance, LC payments, etc. — it can be hard to determine which one is appropriate for your situation. You...
5 Product Sourcing Mistakes: Download This Free Guide
Are you a new importer attempting to source your product in China, Southeast Asia, Latin America, or another low-cost region? Over the years, we’ve worked with many people who’ve had varying degrees of quality control and sourcing experience. And there are certain key...