As geopolitical instability reshapes global trade, Jim Okamura and Michael LeBlanc welcome Jess Crownover, Vice President, e-Commerce & Digital Solutions, and Patrick Riley, Director, e-Commerce Solutions, North America, from Livingston International, to unpack what brands and retailers need to do now. From the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to rising freight costs, shrinking air cargo capacity, sanctions risk, and duty drawback opportunities, this episode delivers practical strategies for building resilient, compliant, and profitable global supply chains in an era of constant disruption.
On this episode of the Global Ecommerce Leaders podcast, literally ripped from the headlines, host Michael LeBlanc and co-host Jim Okamura sit down with Livingston International executives Jes Crownover, VP of Ecommerce and Digital Solutions, and Patrick Riley, Director of North American Ecommerce, to examine how geopolitical disruption is reshaping the future of cross-border trade.
Against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, the conversation begins with a blunt reality: supply chain volatility is no longer temporary—it’s structural. Jes explains how ocean freight was already operating with limited spare capacity before geopolitical tensions pushed insurance premiums higher, rerouted vessels around Africa, and added as much as two weeks to transit times.
Patrick then breaks down how leading retailers are responding—not by moving everything to air freight, but by triaging inventory. High-margin, launch-critical, or stockout-sensitive products are increasingly prioritized for air, while lower-margin inventory remains on ocean routes or is delayed altogether.
The discussion then shifts into one of the most overlooked risks in global commerce: compliance. With sanctions, carrier restrictions, and customs requirements changing overnight, both guests argue that compliance can no longer be a “check-the-box” activity. It must become a continuously monitored, executive-owned capability.
The episode also explores duty drawback, reverse logistics, regionalized inventory strategies, and how brands can recover margin by rethinking returns, tax recovery, and sourcing flexibility.
The core takeaway? Don’t prepare for the next crisis—build the organizational muscle to survive any crisis.
For brands, marketplaces, and retailers operating globally, this episode offers a masterclass in modern supply chain resilience.