(01) Pillar A · Strategy
Enter with abusiness case.
Before you scale inventory or distribution, we analyze the competitive landscape, U.S. pricing, landed economics, channel opportunities and measurable growth targets. The goal is to identify where your product can win, what it will cost to compete, and what evidence should justify each next stage of investment.
- Output:
- U.S. entry economic model
- Horizon:
- 90 days · 6 · 12 months
- Timing:
- Weeks 1–2
- Next:
- Channel plan
(02) Why strategy comes first
A large market is not the same as a viable one.
The size of U.S. e-commerce does not mean every product, price point or channel is economically viable. Amazon alone represents roughly 36%–41% of U.S. e-commerce depending on methodology, which makes it hard to ignore—but not automatically the right first channel for every brand.
The real question is whether the product earns an acceptable contribution margin after marketplace fees, fulfillment, freight, advertising, returns and applicable import and compliance costs. With roughly one in five online sales returned (NRF, 2025), a product can look profitable at gross margin and fail once the full model is built.
(03) Five decisions
What your U.S. roadmap must answer.
| Decision | Recommended analysis |
|---|---|
| Is there a viable U.S. market? | Recommended analysisCategory size, competitor density, price bands, reviews, consumer positioning and identifiable demand gaps. |
| Which SKUs should enter first? | Recommended analysisMargin, shipping characteristics, compliance burden, differentiation, return risk and existing proof of demand. |
| Which channel should launch first? | Recommended analysisAmazon, Walmart, DTC or a controlled combination, based on category behavior rather than a universal template. |
| Can the economics support paid acquisition? | Recommended analysisLanded gross margin → channel fees → fulfillment → returns → advertising → contribution margin. |
| What evidence triggers the next investment? | Recommended analysisSales velocity, conversion, contribution margin, CAC and ROAS, return rate, repeat behavior, inventory turns and customer feedback. |
(04) A stage-gate roadmap
Each horizon has one job.
The 90-day, 6-month and 12-month plan works as an investment system, not a calendar.
01
Readiness
First 90 days
Compliance, channels and content ready; baseline validation of demand, conversion and costs.
02
Optimization
Months 3–6
Identify the winning SKUs, audiences and messages; fix what the data shows is not working.
03
Profitable scale
Months 6–12
Move investment toward what is profitable and expand channels selectively.
(05) The questions we answer
What we analyze before you invest.
(01)
Market and competition
- How do we estimate U.S. market size and demand?
- Who are the direct and indirect competitors?
- Which SKU should launch first?
- Which initial sales channel fits best?
(02)
Price, margin and risk
- What is the appropriate U.S. selling price?
- What are the landed cost and contribution margin?
- What regulatory risks could delay the launch?
- What does the market-entry roadmap include?
(06) What you receive
Strategy you can execute.
U.S. government guidance from the Small Business Administration and the International Trade Administration recommends evaluating demand, competition, pricing, barriers, distribution, regulation and customer behavior before committing resources. We turn that analysis into concrete deliverables.
- Category demand and competitive map
- Customer and regional opportunity analysis
- Landed-cost, price, contribution-margin and break-even model
- Compliance and market-access checklist by product category
- Channel sequencing and launch roadmap
- Baseline KPIs - traffic, conversion, CAC, margin, return and repeat rate
(07) Questions
About the strategy phase.
How long does the planning phase take?
Assessment and design take about two weeks: portfolio review, a quick market study, a channel plan and a base financial plan, plus the list of documents, permits, labels and assets the launch will need.
Can demand exist and the economics still fail?
Yes. Revenue is not the test of U.S. viability. If fees, fulfillment, advertising and returns leave no acceptable contribution margin, the plan has to change price, SKU, channel or cost structure before launch.
How do you choose the first SKUs?
We compare margin, shipping characteristics, compliance burden, differentiation, return risk and any existing proof of demand. The first SKUs should be the ones that can teach you the most at the lowest risk.
(08) Next pillar
From plan to launch.
- (01)Sales channel setupShopify store, Amazon Seller account with Brand Registry readiness, Walmart Marketplace and TikTok Shop—built and optimized for international brands.
- (02)Import, logistics & fulfillmentImport documentation, labeling review, customs coordination, U.S. 3PL receiving, FBA prep, DTC shipping, returns and quality control.
- (03)Sell in the USAHow a foreign manufacturer can sell in the U.S. online first, validate demand and unit economics, and then scale into wholesale and retail.
(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.