Whitepapers
Hundreds of U.S. Ecommerce Business Voices in One Dashboard
Real-time insights from 800+ SMBs reveal how tariffs are reshaping pricing, inventory, and funding behaviour.
January 5, 2026
Megan Harrison
Summary
Tariffs are putting increasing pressure on small businesses, driving up costs, squeezing margins, and forcing tough operational decisions.
Our Tariff Pulse reveals how 800+ SMBs are responding in real time, from raising prices and adjusting inventory to seeking external funding to stay competitive.
The takeaway is clear: access to fast, flexible capital is becoming essential for navigating ongoing economic disruption.
Key Takeaways
This research brings together real-time insights from hundreds of small businesses, revealing how they are responding to tariff pressures, from pricing and inventory strategies to an increasing reliance on external funding.
Costs are rising and being passed on - A significant proportion of SMBs are increasing prices to offset higher import and supply chain costs, directly impacting customer demand.
Margins are under sustained pressure - Many businesses are absorbing costs where they can, but profitability is tightening across sectors.
Inventory strategies are shifting - Businesses are stockpiling, delaying purchases, or diversifying suppliers to manage uncertainty and mitigate risk.
Funding demand is increasing - More SMBs are turning to external finance to manage cash flow, maintain inventory levels, and navigate volatility.
Confidence is fragile - Ongoing tariff changes and economic uncertainty are making long-term planning more difficult, impacting growth decisions.
By embedding financial tools and access to capital into SMB dashboards, platforms not only support merchant success in turbulent conditions but also create stronger, long-lasting seller relationships and enhanced lifetime value.
Rob Fairfield
CEO, Liberis
Conclusion
Tariffs are no longer a background concern, they are actively reshaping how small businesses operate.
From pricing decisions to supply chain strategy, SMBs are being forced to adapt quickly in an increasingly unpredictable environment. But adaptation comes at a cost.
Access to funding is emerging as a critical lever, enabling businesses to absorb shocks, maintain stability, and continue investing in growth despite external pressures.
For platforms and partners, this presents a clear opportunity: by embedding financial solutions directly into the customer journey, they can provide immediate, relevant support when it’s needed most, strengthening relationships and driving long-term value.
About Liberis
Liberis is an embedded finance partner for platforms, including vertical SaaS providers, marketplaces, payment processors, and payment companies. Liberis enables platforms to offer tailored financial solutions to their merchant ecosystems, supporting growth across businesses of all sizes.
Liberis partners closely with platforms, combining merchant data and distribution with over a decade of finance expertise and funding experience across economic cycles. By understanding merchant behaviour and business rhythm, Liberis embeds finance directly into platform workflows, delivering funding and financial tools at key moments in the merchant lifecycle.
Rather than offering standardised products, Liberis co-creates solutions around each partner’s brand, technology, and merchant needs. Its flexible, API-driven architecture allows platforms to configure, launch, and scale embedded finance offerings across 15 markets, with the ability to add new products over time without requiring further platform integration.
For platforms, Liberis delivers recurring revenue opportunities and supports merchant acquisition and retention. For merchants, Liberis provides fast and transparent access to capital, from $500 to $1M+, with clear pricing, flexible repayment aligned to business performance, and dedicated support. For more information, visit their website: https://www.liberis.com/
Embedded Finance. Built Together.
