In today’s global market, volatility is no longer the exception—it’s the norm.
Economic uncertainty, geopolitical disruption, shifting consumer demand, and rising costs have made it increasingly difficult for retail, fashion, and apparel brands to plan with confidence. Teams are being asked to move faster, do more with less, and still deliver well-balanced assortments that hit financial targets.
One example: recently imposed tariffs on imports from countries like China—and a 10% tariff on goods from other key sourcing regions—have added new layers of unpredictability. These policy changes force last-minute assortment adjustments, pricing recalculations, and shifts in sourcing strategies.
In times like these, visibility, speed, and collaboration matter more than ever. And yet most merchandising teams are still working through fragmented tools, disconnected systems, and outdated processes.
This piece explores how leading brands are using VibeIQ to build smarter, more agile assortments—reducing risk and increasing alignment when it matters most.
Volatility Is the New Normal for Merchandising Teams
Whether it’s tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, shifting forecasts, or cost fluctuations, merchandising leaders are constantly adjusting to an environment that rarely holds steady. Teams must account for:
- Unreliable historical data and shortened planning horizons
- Supply chain uncertainty and fluctuating material and freight costs
- Regional market differences and misaligned demand signals
- Late-breaking changes to trade policy, such as new U.S. import tariffs
- Increased pressure to protect margin while hitting delivery windows
In this kind of environment, real-time visibility and rapid alignment aren’t optional—they’re critical.
Why Static, Disconnected Tools Can’t Keep Up
The reality for many teams? The tools they use to build and manage the line haven’t evolved with the market.
- Key product decisions are made in spreadsheets and PowerPoint decks
- Visuals and data are stored in silos, disconnected from the planning framework
- Regional feedback comes in late—or gets missed entirely
- Sell-in tools are built manually from outdated assortments
- Teams scramble to respond to change rather than managing it proactively
These disjointed workflows slow teams down, increase risk, and make it harder to adapt in high-stakes situations—like responding to new tariffs or cost pressures mid-season.
How VibeIQ Helps Teams Build Assortments With Confidence
What is an Assortment Lifecycle Platform?VibeIQ is an Assortment Lifecycle Platform that gives merchandising teams the ability to move faster, stay aligned, and respond with confidence when things shift.
With VibeIQ, teams gain:
- Faster iteration on assortments based on real-time feedback
- Live visibility into how the line is evolving against financial and strategic targets
- Stronger cross-functional collaboration across merchandising, planning, design, and global teams
- Early input from regions and channels to guide buy readiness
- Clear documentation of what changed, when, and why
What This Looks Like in Practice
Here’s how brands are using VibeIQ to operate more confidently, even in unpredictable conditions:
- When tariffs impact key categories, teams can quickly rework assortments to reduce exposure and rebalance margin
- Regional leads can filter assortments by channel or market and provide feedback weeks earlier
- Merchandising and planning teams track SKU counts, pricing ladders, and category depth as decisions are made
- Sales and wholesale teams generate updated presentations directly from the live assortment—no rework, no outdated decks
- Leadership has a clear, real-time view of how the assortment is shaping up relative to the original plan
The Payoff: Speed, Control, and Confidence
With VibeIQ in place, teams gain the clarity and control they need to make smart decisions—quickly and collaboratively. The business impact is real:
- Faster time to market, with fewer delays from misalignment
- Reduced risk of overproduction, missed deliveries, or rushed rework
- Better product outcomes, with assortments that reflect real-time strategy
- Improved adoption and sell-in, with earlier visibility across global teams
- More resilience, even when the market throws a curveball
Equip Your Teams for What Comes Next
Tariffs, inflation, supply chain shocks, and consumer shifts aren’t going away. But brands that build their go-to-market process for adaptability and speed will be best positioned to win in the long run.
VibeIQ gives merchandising teams the platform they need to iterate faster, align earlier, and make more confident decisions across the assortment lifecycle—even in a volatile market.
Facing tighter timelines and shifting demand? Get in touch to learn how an Assortment Lifecycle Platform like VibeIQ helps merchandising teams move faster, reduce risk, and bring better assortments to market—no matter what the market throws their way.
