Why the End of De Minimis Redefines U.S. Retail Logistics—and Makes Staci Americas the Smartest Partner for the Shift

“Running Raw Spice Bar taught me that location strategy isn't just about warehouses--it's about understanding your product's unique fulfillment needs. Spices are lightweight but temperature-sensitive, so we focused on climate-controlled micro-fulfillment rather than proximity alone. 

Our breakthrough came when we shifted from trying to be everywhere to being strategic about seasonal demand patterns. We noticed our Berbere blend spiked 300% during Ethiopian New Year, while our Pumpkin Pie blend from Japan had obvious fall seasonality. Instead of keeping everything everywhere, we started pre-positioning inventory based on cultural events and seasonal cooking patterns. 

The game-changer was partnering with specialty food distributors who already had the right infrastructure. Rather than building our own network, we leveraged existing players who understood spice storage and had relationships with international suppliers. This cut our fulfillment costs by 35% while actually improving delivery times to major metro areas.”

Joseph Rosenblatt, Owner, Raw Spice Bar

“For our supplement brand, location strategy plays a major role in both fulfillment speed and marketing efficiency. We operate multiple store locations across the United States, which allows us to strategically position inventory closer to high demand regions. This not only reduces shipping zones, cutting down on transit times and costs, but also minimizes the risk of delays that can frustrate customers.”

Jeff Michael, Ecommerce Business Owner, Supplement Prohormone Warehouse

“For businesses looking to go global, a well-thought-out location strategy is absolutely critical. They're not just trying to ship from their home country to another; they're leveraging global networks to establish local hubs. This is a game-changer for international expansion because it helps brands bypass costly customs delays, reduce international shipping fees, and, most importantly, deliver a truly local experience to their customers. When a customer in Germany gets a package that was shipped from a local distribution center, it feels much more immediate and trustworthy than one that's been traveling across continents. 

The end result of all this is a much more resilient and responsive supply chain. By localizing inventory, brands can not only reduce shipping zones and delays, but they can also mitigate risks from things like natural disasters or unexpected shipping bottlenecks. If one distribution center is affected, orders can be routed to another, ensuring a consistent and reliable experience for the customer. This kind of flexibility is what gives brands a significant edge. It allows them to adapt quickly to changing demand and, in turn, builds a reputation for reliability that keeps customers coming back.”

Zeke Abraham, Vice President, Prime Line Packaging

“We view location strategy as part of our service promise. Our primary warehouse is positioned for quick access to major carriers, allowing us to reach most of the country within just a few days. By keeping popular models such as Klimaire ductless systems and Daikin packaged units close to our base, we reduce the number of shipping zones they pass through. This approach helps our customers to have both lower delivery time and cost.” 

Ender Korkmaz, CEO, Heat&Cool