Archive of Author: Jesse Alterman
February 19, 2026
If you are sourcing products from China, the Alibaba ecosystem is almost impossible to avoid. However, many buyers unknowingly conflate very different platforms under the “Alibaba” name, leading to sourcing mistakes, misaligned expectations, and unnecessary risk. Alibaba Group operates dozens of platforms, but only two are directly relevant to international...
February 11, 2026
When tariff headlines fade, many importers breathe a sigh of relief and move on, but that reaction is increasingly expensive for those handling China sourcing services. Recent tariff threats tied to U.S.–Greenland negotiations offer a useful case study, not because of whether the tariffs ultimately happened (or will happen), but...
February 5, 2026
Chinese wholesale markets are a great tool for anyone looking to experiment with importing goods for their small business. In this guide, we will cover wholesale markets in China, important tips on dealing with wholesale suppliers, and how a China sourcing agency can help streamline the process of sourcing and...
January 22, 2026
Experienced importers with deep knowledge of China and its culture are able to realize savings and increase their revenue. But not all importers have that background. We previously covered this topic in the blog series “Are You Leaving Money on the Table?” In that blog, we explored what happens when...
January 10, 2026
In Episode 6 of CPG’s podcast, The Supply Chain of Thought, CPG CEO Michael De Clercq and Business Director Laura Dow continue their walkthrough of An Advanced Guide to China Sourcing and Procurement, the upcoming e-book written by the CPG Sourcing team. In Episode 5, we introduced why we wrote...
December 17, 2025
Is There a Difference Between “Made in China” and “Made in PRC”? If you source products from Chinese manufacturers, you may encounter labels that say “Made in PRC.” At first glance, this can appear different from the more familiar “Made in China.” For global importers, the real question is not...
November 18, 2025
We’re proud to share a closer look at the first two chapters of our upcoming e-book, "An Advanced Guide to China Sourcing and Procurement." Written by the CPG Sourcing team, this guide distills decades of hands-on experience into practical strategies for companies sourcing directly from Chinese manufacturers. Our goal in...
November 6, 2025
We’ve all heard the saying, “The greater the risk, the greater the reward.” Although the risk/reward concept makes sense in most cases, let us not exaggerate. Sourcing and procurement is a risky and complex process in and of itself. If you want to reap rewards from buying directly from China,...
