(01) Sell in the USA
Digital first.Retail ready.
For most international manufacturers, the lowest-commitment way to sell in the United States is online first: prepare the product for U.S. compliance, launch selected SKUs on Amazon, Walmart or your own store, measure real demand and unit economics, and only then scale into wholesale or retail. CH GlobeXmart builds and operates that path end to end.
- Route:
- Online first → Retail
- Base:
- Miami, FL
- Channels:
- Amazon · Walmart · Shopify · TikTok Shop
- Stages:
- 5 decision gates
(02) The thesis
Online-first is not the final destination. It is the fastest way to build the evidence your next stage of U.S. expansion requires.
Do not build the most expensive version of your U.S. business first. Build the version that produces the information, customers, economics and operating foundation you need to scale intelligently.
(03) Why online first
A market large enough to test, measure and grow in.
U.S. e-commerce has grown from roughly a tenth of retail before the pandemic to about a sixth today, and annual online sales now exceed $1.2 trillion.
$340.2B
U.S. retail e-commerce sales in Q2 2026, seasonally adjusted
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · Q2 2026
17.1%
Share of total U.S. retail sales made online
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · Q2 2026
+12.2%
E-commerce growth year over year, versus +6.7% for total retail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · Q2 2026
$1.234T
Total U.S. e-commerce sales in 2025
Source: Digital Commerce 360 · 2025
10.1% → 17.1%
E-commerce share of U.S. retail, Q2 2019 versus Q2 2026
342M+
People living in the United States
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · Oct 2026
The U.S. Census Bureau will revise its Q2 2026 estimates in the Q3 release scheduled for November 19, 2026.
(04) Two ways to enter
Traditional entry versus online first.
| Factor | Traditional first move | Online-first first move |
|---|---|---|
| First step | Traditional first moveSecure distributors, offices, retail buyers and shelf space before meaningful demand data exists. | Online-first first moveLaunch through selected digital channels and measure demand before broad physical expansion. |
| Commitment | Traditional first moveLarger fixed commitments and longer feedback cycles. | Online-first first moveStaged spending and fast, SKU-level feedback. |
| Consumer data | Traditional first moveWholesale orders show sell-in, not always consumer behavior. | Online-first first moveSearch, traffic, conversion, reviews, returns and repeat purchases reveal how consumers respond. |
| Reach | Traditional first moveRetail geography may limit initial reach. | Online-first first moveNationwide digital availability through selected channels, supported by U.S. fulfillment. |
| Speed of change | Traditional first moveProduct, message and price changes are slow. | Online-first first moveListings, creative, offers, audiences and assortment can be tested and improved. |
| Leverage | Traditional first moveGrowth depends on intermediary approval and terms. | Online-first first moveYou build demand evidence and negotiate later distribution from a stronger position. |
Online-first replaces some fixed market-entry costs with variable ones—platform fees, media, fulfillment, returns and operating expertise. Regulated, oversized, perishable or low-margin products can still require substantial investment.
(05) The path
From market hypothesis to U.S. operation.
Each stage produces the evidence that justifies the next one.
01
Market intelligence
Demand, competitors, price bands and landed economics for your category.
02
U.S. readiness
Compliance, labeling, importer structure, inventory and content ready before the first sale.
03
Digital launch
Selected SKUs live on the channels where your customers already buy.
04
Demand validation
Traffic quality, conversion, reviews, returns, acquisition cost and contribution margin.
05
Profitable scale
More inventory and media where the numbers work; new channels when they pay off.
06
Retail and distribution
Wholesale, distributors or physical retail—negotiated with proven consumer demand.
(06) Decision gates
Success is a series of decisions, not one revenue promise.
| Stage | Evidence required | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness | Evidence requiredCompliant product, viable landed margin, inventory, content and an operating owner | DecisionApprove or pause the launch |
| Validation | Evidence requiredTraffic quality, conversion, reviews, returns, acquisition cost and contribution margin | DecisionRefine product, offer, price or audience |
| Repeatability | Evidence requiredStable account health, replenishment, profitable acquisition pockets and repeat demand | DecisionIncrease inventory and media selectively |
| Scale | Evidence requiredConsistent channel economics, forecast accuracy, service levels and brand demand | DecisionAdd channels, geographies, wholesale or retail |
| Expansion | Evidence requiredProven consumer demand and operational capacity | DecisionPursue broader distribution and local investment |
(07) The real economics
Revenue is not the test. Contribution margin is.
A manufacturer's first calculation usually looks like factory cost, selling price and gross margin. In the U.S., the commercially relevant model includes every cost between the factory and the customer's doorstep—and back again when products are returned.
Returns alone can change the picture: the National Retail Federation estimated that 19.3% of online sales would be returned in 2025. That is why pricing cannot be finalized until logistics, compliance and acquisition assumptions are understood.
- Selling price
- −Landed product cost (freight, duties, brokerage)
- −Channel and referral fees
- −Fulfillment and payment costs
- −Acquisition and advertising
- −Expected returns and reverse logistics
- −Promotional allowances
- =Contribution margin
(08) Before you invest
Ten questions your U.S. entry plan must answer.
(01)
Market and readiness
- Is the United States a viable market for our product?
- Is our company and product ready to enter?
- What is the fastest responsible way to start selling?
- How much investment will market entry require?
- Which channels should we use first?
(02)
Execution and results
- Do we need a U.S. company, warehouse, employees or distributor?
- Who manages importing, compliance, inventory, fulfillment, marketing and sales?
- How will execution risk be reduced?
- How will success be measured?
- What happens after the initial launch?
(09) What online first does not replace
Compliance and landed cost come first.
Since August 29, 2025, goods valued at $800 or less from all countries generally lost duty-free de minimis treatment, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Applicable duties, taxes and fees belong in the model from day one.
The importer of record remains responsible for accurate entry documentation, duties, taxes and fees, even when a customs broker is used. Requirements vary by product and agency, such as the FDA or CPSC—so we coordinate with qualified specialists rather than promise one generic checklist.
(10) Go deeper
Explore each part of the system.
- (01)ServicesStrategy, sales channels, marketing, import logistics and monthly operations—five disciplines run as one U.S. operation for international brands.
- (02)ChannelsWhich U.S. sales channel should an international brand launch first? Amazon, Walmart, Shopify and TikTok Shop compared by role, data and fit.
- (03)U.S. marketU.S. e-commerce size, growth, marketplace share, advertising and consumer behavior in 2025–2026, with the source and date of every figure.
- (04)FAQAnswers to the questions international manufacturers ask before entering the U.S. - readiness, channels, import, compliance, timing and results.
(08) Next step
Is your brand ready for the U.S.?
Book a strategic assessment to review your product, market opportunity, regulatory requirements, landed margins, sales channels and recommended launch path.