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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, host Eric Dyck speaks with Anthony Sardain, founder of Cavela, a virtual sourcing agent using AI to help DTC brands drastically cut sourcing costs and navigate the new era of global tariffs.

With geopolitical shifts and new tariffs hitting brands hard, Cavela’s AI agents act like a 24/7 procurement team—sourcing, vetting, quoting, and coordinating production with over 200,000 suppliers across 40 countries. The result? Brands save up to 40% on costs while reducing sourcing work by 95%.

👉 Get 50% off your first sample via Cavela x DTC offer:

https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=dtcpod

Key Takeaways:

How Cavela’s AI agents source products faster and cheaper than humans

How DTC brands are using Cavela to cut costs even with rising tariffs

Why diversifying your supply chain is the smartest hedge in 2025

How AI will disrupt sourcing just like it did media and customer service

How the next decade will see physical product creation democratized

If you’re wondering how to optimize margins without hiring a full procurement team—this is your playbook.

Timestamps:

00:00 - How AI sourcing slashed costs for workwear brand

02:01 - Why Anthony Sardain built Covea for product sourcing

04:06 - How Covea's AI agents automate supplier discovery

06:15 - The impact of tariffs and diversifying supply chains

08:20 - Ongoing supplier optimization with AI agents

10:30 - Democratizing design with AI tools like image generation

13:00 - The future of eCommerce: decentralization and personalization

Hashtags:

#aiincommerce

#productdevelopment

#ecommercetips

#supplychainoptimization

#dtcbrands

#sourcingwithai

#ecommerceai

#aiagents

#manufacturingtech

#startupsourcing

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Bonus: How Cavela Uses AI to Cut Sourcing Costs by 40%—Even Amid Rising Tariffs

DTC Podcast