Thank you for sharing our story, @BillAckman. For those looking to help - it's easy. Look for Explorer Cold Brew at a Whole Foods Market near you, or order online if there isn't one nearby. Delicious, organic cold brew in different caffeine levels - including decaf.
Our stock market is down. Bond yields are up and the dollar is declining. These are not the markers of successful policy.
I am receiving an increasing number of emails and texts from small business people I do business with or have invested in, expressing fear that they will not be able to pass on their increased costs to their customers and will suffer severely negative consequences.
For example, I am invested in a start up that makes cold brew coffee. Here is an excerpt of an email from the founder sent prior to China tariffs doubling:
“Despite our efforts to mitigate risk, the new tariffs have immediate and significant negative implications for our cost structure, and have the potential to compress our gross margin by 60%+.
Coffee and glass bottles are the largest % of COGs, and will be impacted by the following newly levied tariffs:
•50% increase in cost of glass bottles (sourced from China)
•26% increase in cost of chai (sourced from India)
•10% increase in cost of coffee (sourced from Ethiopia, Peru, and Canada)
These new coffee and glass bottle tariffs alone will add an estimated $1.53 of COGS/unit for our 32oz, reducing our gross profit by nearly 60% to a ~12% gross margin (from 30%). We are currently priced at the top of the range for our set and do not believe we have the ability to increase price to offset this impact in the near-term.
What is particularly concerning is the sudden and sweeping inclusion of coffee and tea in U.S. tariffs, reversing a long-standing precedent dating back to the McKinley Tariff of 1890, which removed duties on these essential commodities. The decision to apply a universal 10% tariff on all imports -- including those that have historically been exempt -- marks a dramatic shift in trade policy and presents an existential threat to Explorer Cold Brew and other specialty beverage producers. Unlike many industries, there is no 'reshoring' solution for coffee. The U.S. simply does not grow coffee at commercial scale, and domestic tea production is virtually nonexistent. There is no viable domestic alternative in the short or the long term. We remain steadfast in our commitment to navigating these challenges. We are actively evaluating all options -- supplier negotiations, cost engineering, strategic reformulations -- but the impact of this policy is real, material, and immediate. We will continue to keep you informed with full transparency as we assess and respond to these developments. Your support and partnership remain invaluable as we work to safeguard Explorer’s future and continue building a brand rooted in quality, transparency, and innovation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts.”
If you want to support Explorer Cold Brew, you can now find it at Whole Foods. A high quality cold brew available in varying degrees of caffeination for so long as it can survive.
And this one from a company that designs and installs home audio and video solutions:
“You wrote, “Almost no business can pass through an overnight massive increase in costs to their customers,” and I fear this could be devastating enough to put me out of business.
Will my clients tolerate a near doubling of their contract costs overnight, or will they expect me to absorb the increases my vendors are already threatening?
If clients resist price hikes and my employees demand higher wages to offset their rising cost of living, we end up in a lose-lose scenario—no spending and no jobs.
While I understand you may not have time to respond, I hope that sharing the fears of a small business owner adds a tangible voice to the broader implications of your posts.”
If the president doesn’t pause the effect of the tariffs soon, many small businesses will go bankrupt.
Medium-sized businesses will be next.
A 90-day pause will enable @realDonaldTrump to accomplish his objectives without destroying small businesses in the short term.
May cooler heads prevail.
Our stock market is down. Bond yields are up and the dollar is declining. These are not the markers of successful policy.
I am receiving an increasing number of emails and texts from small business people I do business with or have invested in, expressing fear that they will not be able to pass on their increased costs to their customers and will suffer severely negative consequences.
For example, I am invested in a start up that makes cold brew coffee. Here is an excerpt of an email from the founder sent prior to China tariffs doubling:
“Despite our efforts to mitigate risk, the new tariffs have immediate and significant negative implications for our cost structure, and have the potential to compress our gross margin by 60%+.
Coffee and glass bottles are the largest % of COGs, and will be impacted by the following newly levied tariffs:
•50% increase in cost of glass bottles (sourced from China)
•26% increase in cost of chai (sourced from India)
•10% increase in cost of coffee (sourced from Ethiopia, Peru, and Canada)
These new coffee and glass bottle tariffs alone will add an estimated $1.53 of COGS/unit for our 32oz, reducing our gross profit by nearly 60% to a ~12% gross margin (from 30%). We are currently priced at the top of the range for our set and do not believe we have the ability to increase price to offset this impact in the near-term.
What is particularly concerning is the sudden and sweeping inclusion of coffee and tea in U.S. tariffs, reversing a long-standing precedent dating back to the McKinley Tariff of 1890, which removed duties on these essential commodities. The decision to apply a universal 10% tariff on all imports -- including those that have historically been exempt -- marks a dramatic shift in trade policy and presents an existential threat to Explorer Cold Brew and other specialty beverage producers. Unlike many industries, there is no 'reshoring' solution for coffee. The U.S. simply does not grow coffee at commercial scale, and domestic tea production is virtually nonexistent. There is no viable domestic alternative in the short or the long term. We remain steadfast in our commitment to navigating these challenges. We are actively evaluating all options -- supplier negotiations, cost engineering, strategic reformulations -- but the impact of this policy is real, material, and immediate. We will continue to keep you informed with full transparency as we assess and respond to these developments. Your support and partnership remain invaluable as we work to safeguard Explorer’s future and continue building a brand rooted in quality, transparency, and innovation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts.”
If you want to support Explorer Cold Brew, you can now find it at Whole Foods. A high quality cold brew available in varying degrees of caffeination for so long as it can survive.
And this one from a company that designs and installs home audio and video solutions:
“You wrote, “Almost no business can pass through an overnight massive increase in costs to their customers,” and I fear this could be devastating enough to put me out of business.
Will my clients tolerate a near doubling of their contract costs overnight, or will they expect me to absorb the increases my vendors are already threatening?
If clients resist price hikes and my employees demand higher wages to offset their rising cost of living, we end up in a lose-lose scenario—no spending and no jobs.
While I understand you may not have time to respond, I hope that sharing the fears of a small business owner adds a tangible voice to the broader implications of your posts.”
If the president doesn’t pause the effect of the tariffs soon, many small businesses will go bankrupt.
Medium-sized businesses will be next.
A 90-day pause will enable @realDonaldTrump to accomplish his objectives without destroying small businesses in the short term.
May cooler heads prevail.
GIFT IDEA ALERT... you're welcome😉
2oz cold brews for your jet-setting bestie. They're catching flights not feelings. They're never in town on the weekend. You aren't positive they ever sleep. They will thank you for this thoughtful one. ✈️
POUR decisions don't exist when it's on sale😉 And there's no better feeling than always knowing you have coffee when you need it. Sooooo.... This week we're giving you 25% OFF SITE WIDE. Enjoy☕🛒✨
THE DREAMER... ELIXER FOR SLEEP😴
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Get ready to spice up your coffee game this fall! ☕️ Time to sip, savor, and embrace all things autumn! 🍂🎃 Let us know which fall coffee recipe is your favorite in the comments below! 👇
THE GUARDIAN... ELIXIR FOR IMMUNITY.
Let's add an immunity boost to your morning coffee ritual with The Guardian. Made with Reishi, Elderberry, and Vitamin C... this functional add-on was designed to promote your health!
heading into expo east but just too excited about the @tryexplorer x @troyesivan collab - did you 👀👀 it my fave CPG influencers @RosenZone and @thesnaxshot 😝😝😝
https://t.co/mZrEQ8vpgX
NEW YORK CITY, WE HAVE ARRIVED AT @popup.grocer !⚡️
Residents of NYC, you know this is the place for the best of the best. We're honored to be sitting pretty on the shelves😋
📍 205 Bleeker St. NYC
We're not saying your coffee products HAVE to match the aesthetic of your home... but what if they did?😉
Good Morning to a brand new week Explorer fam, Monday's got nothin on you!👊
Energy should be the last of your worries as you get back into the swing of school🤓 REMINDER to stock up on your cold brews with @buywithprime so it's the last thing on your mind
August means it's BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! Summer flew by and we know there's never enough time to prepare. @buywithprime is making it easy.
Shop our Explorer faves NOW through September 8th!