Economic uncertainty is still going strong in 2025. This means that businesses worldwide have to navigate the landscape with nothing but tensions, volatile markets, and more challenges than ever.
With so many challenges in place, how is everyone remaining competitive and growing in this economy?
Trade policy uncertainty is the main issue for businesses. It has surged to historic highs, financial markets remain hypersensitive, and global growth projects are modest. Nothing is “good” besides more challenges to come.
So, circling back to the main questions, companies involved in surplus and liquidation face their own unique challenges. However, they are able to face them by having a well-structured plan that offers comfort and great results in analytics.
While the challenges are many, opportunities just come the same way. To lead to volatility, they have just had to adopt strategic and resilient approaches.
At Coastal Surplus Solutions, we are well aware of this. Our team has faced the difficulties in the industry and how we have had to adapt our services and approaches to the uncertainly around all aspects.
But what makes this so difficult in terms of quality and trying to work through the economic backdrop?
Understanding the Economic Backdrop
After the drops during the pandemic period, the global economy is finally experiencing moderate growth. However, this moderation does not really cover all the requirements for a good business and how the economy should be moving.
Tensions and monetary policy challenges are expanding and being added every day. This has only made 2025 more challenging than it already was.
How does this affect the current economy as a whole?
The European Union projects real GDP growth of around 1.1% this year due to ongoing trade tensions. Of course, monetary policies also influence the whole change.
Trade policies, and how volatility is compounded, bring financial fluctuations. As a whole, predicting or forecasting how the economy will behave during the last 2 quarters of the year can be tough.
It is a complex operating environment for surplus companies. Demand is unpredictable, financing became more costly, and supply chains are strained.
Then, how can you work in the industry?
Leveraging strategic surplus management has proven to be helpful, as firms can turn uncertainty into competitive advantage.
How to Navigate Volatility: 3 Surplus Strategies
When facing this economic uncertainty, developing and planning new strategies is only natural.
But when it comes to the surplus industry, it is tough to come up with specific concepts and ideas.
Our team has noticed how these three techniques or strategies are perfect for this fast-paced industry and difficulties in the economic world. Hence, we encourage you to implement them and see their functionality.
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- Focus on high-ROI inventory categories.
While it is alright to have low-ROI items, they don’t usually move by themselves in the supply chain. You have to consider your needs in the whole process of capital and how inventory does not stay stagnant.
Data from typical liquidation manifests has shown that initial pallet purchases can start at $10.000. However, they can bring over 50% in returns or profits when focusing on these categories:
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- Electronics.
- Design apparel.
- Jewelry.
- And similar options that are always in demand in your regular markets.
They enable you to maximize ROI even when market conditions fluctuate.
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- Maintain flexible inventory and sourcing.
Don’t rely on a single supplier, not even on only two.
Economic uncertainty calls for agility. You want surplus solutions companies and even for them, you want to have more than one partnered to get your supply chain going.
Always go for what offers mitigation of disruptions in your supply chain. This will offer great leading times and build your brand reputation.
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- Strengthen supplier and buyer partnerships.
Your partners and collaborators are everything. Hence, don’t neglect them even when times are tough.
Collaborative planning and transparent communication help align expectations. you can share risks and focus more on finding opportunities in different areas.
Coastal Surplus Solutions can be the partner you are looking for in this tough economy. You can contact us and learn more about how we help you with uncertainty.
