Update on Tariffs and Seasonal Stock

Update on Tariffs and Seasonal Stock

Here is our update on the tariff situation - starting with a TLDR version and then a letter from Ivan.

 

Pause on Restocks

  • Due to U.S. - Canada tariff uncertainties, we are pausing restocks of Xero and Lems 

Alternative Options

  • Order directly from Xero or Lems (considering added costs of duty, taxes and tariffs)
  • Explore other minimal footwear brands at Cool East Market
  • Future Pricing: If tariffs continue into summer months, we may restart restocks and adjust pricing to account for added cost

Commitment to Minimal Footwear

  • We continue sourcing top brands from Europe and around the world
  • We are actively seeking Canadian suppliers - recommendations welcome at info@cooleastmarket.com

New arrivals / Seasonal stock

  • Will have peak stock and sizing available during April-May for Summer and October-November for Winter
  • During later months of the season, suppliers may run out of sizing

-

 

Due to the ongoing situation of tariffs between the U.S. and Canada, we’ve decided to pause restocks from Xero and Lems. While we love bringing these shoes to our customers, the unpredictability of added tariff costs makes it difficult to set fair prices.

 

If our sizes are sold out, you are welcome to order directly from Xero or Lems (being mindful of duty, taxes and potential tariffs now) - or check out alternative suppliers including the other brands we carry at Cool East Market.

 

We hope the situation is resolved in a harmonious way soon.

If the tariffs are extended into the summer season, we may set new pricing for Xero and Lems shoes that cover the new importing costs.

 

We’ll keep bringing the best minimal footwear brands from Europe and elsewhere around the world to Cool East Market. We’ll also continue searching for Canadian footwear suppliers that meet our criteria of being “minimal,” so if you have any recommendations please send them our way by emailing info@cooleastmarket.com .


On a related note, many of you are already familiar with our Seasonal Collection and Restock Alert system. Most of our brands manufacture their shoes according to a biannual schedule - with new models and replenished sizing available at the start of Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.


In the last few years, we’ve mirrored this approach with our Seasonal Collections (Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter) because it matches more closely with the production of what’s available for the upcoming season, and the discontinuation of models for the outgoing season.


We will usually have the bulk of the new season’s shoes available during the first few months of each season (April and May for Spring/Summer and October and November for Fall/Winter). For sizes that are out of stock, you can use our Restock Alert system to receive a notification if/when it returns. As the season progresses, our suppliers often run out of sizes on their end, which is why sometimes we aren’t able to restock these sizes - even for our core or seasonal collection products.


I hope that helps explain some of the nuts and bolts behind our ordering process and bringing the shoes we’re passionate about to Canada. As always, we’ll keep trying to improve so please let us know if you have any questions, suggestions or other thoughts.


Best wishes,


Ivan Hui, Owner