The Ultimate Guide to Black Friday for E-Commerce Brands

Discover 7 actionaable tips on how to prepare for a trade show, including pre-planning and effective promotion strategies for success.

Making use of net terms can enable both buyers and vendors to increase their profitability and sales dramatically. This is what net terms are.

Settle Inbox is a better way for your team to triage invoices and messages from vendors.

Struggling with margins or stockouts? Learn how real-time cost visibility helps Shopify brands track true COGs, improve cash flow, and scale with clarity.

We sit down to chat with Alyshah Walji from Vividly, a trade promotion management (TPM) software built by and for the consumer packaged goods industry.

Learn how Homecourt CEO Sarah Jahnke balances cash flow, optimizes SKUs, and navigates holiday surges. Discover tips for smarter forecasting and financial planning in 2025.

Get expert strategies to navigate Black Friday 2025—covering ad spend, inventory, cash flow, and AI-driven marketing—so your e-commerce brand can maximize Q4 sales and start Q1 strong.

As lenders and investors evaluate your business, they’ll look primarily at revenue growth, gross margin, liquidity, asset efficiencies, and leverage. Staying on top of these metrics will put you in a healthy spot for the capital you need for growth.

Behind every bold brand is a founder with a big idea. But growth takes more than that. It takes clarity in the chaos, confidence in uncertainty, and the right tools to keep moving, no matter the market. That’s why we built Settle—to empower the people behind the brands shaping our world.

Accounting firms are built to guide, but disconnected tools make it hard to lead. When client data lives across bill pay platforms, inventory systems, and email threads, your team spends more time chasing numbers than delivering insights. That inefficiency adds up—missed opportunities, delayed closes, strained capacity. The good news? Integrated platforms like Settle are changing the game, helping firms streamline workflows, deepen client value, and scale without burnout.

Learn how to prevent costly duplicate payments in your AP process and enhance efficiency.

A company’s cash conversion cycle can speak volumes about its operational efficiency and financial stability. It can also determine whether people get paid on time.

Many CPG brands use inventory planning and inventory management interchangeably, but they serve distinct roles. CPG and ecommerce brands need BOTH to stay profitable and sustainable.

Accounts receivable factoring can help companies can improve their financial stability and cash flow. We’ll explain what it is and how it's beneficial in our guide.

We’re taking another step in transforming procurement for inventory businesses

Though migrating off BILL may seem daunting, we make it easy in this step-by-step guide.

Capital is critical to running a modern business. Here are the four fundamental types of capital and how they can work for a small business.

This month’s Settle release includes 11 updates built to reduce manual work and give teams more control — including partial external payments, downloadable vendor reports, FX support, and mid-month inventory reporting.

Stop retyping orders, chasing invoices, and losing cash—here’s how to automate your B2B workflow from start to finish

Creating invoices can be tedious, especially for new businesses processing everything manually. Learn how to create invoices effectively and efficiently with this detailed guide.

Discover the benefits of AP automation for CPG brands and 5 steps on how you can get started.

Why inventory-led brands need COGS clarity, cash flow planning, and working capital strategy now for a stronger 2026.

Discover the importance of robust approval rules in accounts payable and how they improve control, efficiency, and vendor relationships.

The first AP solution with real-time, accurate landed costs calculations

Behind this eCommerce surge lies a complex infrastructure of tools and services—known as the Modern Operations Stack—that helps CPG brands manage their day-to-day operations.

This month, we’re expanding access to two powerful features—automated bill pay and landed cost tracking—by including them in our $0/month Launch Plan. Plus, we’re introducing 7 new product updates across inventory, reporting, and vendor workflows.

In this month’s Settle Spotlight Series, we chatted with Will Holtz from SourceMedium about how interconnected data can be a superpower for brands in hyperscale mode.

Improving supply chain visibility is becoming a priority for many companies, as it’s essential for streamlining operations, boosting efficiency, and maintaining strong customer satisfaction for consumer brands.

Looking for thoughtful gifts that from incredible female-founded brands? Here are our picks.

Learn how accurate AP forecasting and budgeting can improve cash flow management, optimize spending, and strengthen vendor relationships with our strategic guide.

Learn what line item matching is and how it enhances AP processes.

Supply‑chain success isn’t about perfect vendors—it’s about shared visibility. When you and your suppliers see the same milestone timeline, delays turn into proactive conversations instead of last‑minute surprises, freight costs stay predictable, and trust deepens on both sides.

Shopify sellers, say goodbye to inventory guesswork and manual spreadsheets! Settle is now live in the Shopify App Store, helping you automate real-time inventory tracking, sync sales data, and simplify cost calculations—all in one place

June is all about cleaner margins and fewer manual tweaks. From landed-cost syncs that keep Shopify profit numbers honest to smarter PO payment schedules, these six updates are built to save you clicks and improve accuracy.

Discover insights from the Settle x DTC Experts panel on alternative financing, cash flow management, and profitability strategies from the founders of HigherDose and Mockingbird.

Learn how to build a finance team tailored to your growth stage with insights from Rainbow CFO. Discover key roles, milestones, and tips for maximizing finance relationships.

Effectively managing a supply chain is essential for any consumer brand working with a network of suppliers, distributors, and partners. If you're considering an ERP for your business, here are some key factors to evaluate to ensure it meets your supply chain needs.

The Settle team always looks forward to Expo West as an opportunity to connect with incredible CPG brands and industry partners, and this year was truly special. Our Head of Revenue, Christopher Dittmer, shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of Expo West and the key trends that stood out in 2025.

The accounts payable startup and modern working capital partner will team up to fund brands from inventory build through sales

Learn how the Suez Canal crisis exposed supply chain vulnerabilities and discover essential strategies to prepare for the holiday season.

A comprehensive guide to understanding the financial challenges in eCommerce.

Do you really need another gift guide this time of year? Our Settle team spends so much time obsessing over our customer brands, that the right answer is obviously yes. We have compiled the inaugural Settle Staff Picks Holiday Gift Guide, with the most fire small brands out there. So read on for ideas from stocking stuffers to travel accessories – for everyone on your list. And join us in shopping small this holiday. 

A year in review of Settle's product releases that make running CPG brands easier.

We brought simplicity to bill pay. Now we’re bringing it to the purchasing process, with end-to-end support that takes a load off your plate.

Marketing directly to consumers through social media is one of the most important ways businesses can reach out to their audiences. This is how.

Invoices and receipts are similar in concept, but differ in the details. Here’s what differentiates invoices from receipts, and why it’s important to understand.

Learn why understanding landed costs is vital for better financial decisions, improved profit margins, and staying competitive.

Discover 10 leading 3PL providers and learn how the right partner can cut costs, speed up shipping, and help your ecommerce brand scale.

5 Tips on where to meet retail buyers and lockdown partnerships

Proper planning is key to protecting profit in times of tariff uncertainty. With potential plans to impose a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and a 10% to 20% tariff on other imported goods, many CPG brands are taking 4 key steps now so they don’t get a shock to their COGs.

Discover how Pattern Brands and Flakes used alternative funding strategies to scale their e-commerce brands profitably.

AI isn’t transforming supply chains with sci‑fi magic—it’s quietly killing the mind‑numbing chores that soak up operators’ days. From auto‑cleaning messy data to drafting docs and surfacing real‑time forecasts, teams are letting an “intern that never sleeps” handle the grunt work so people can focus on decisions that actually move the business.

Managing seasonal product demands can be a struggle for many companies. This is how businesses can make the most out of seasonal campaigns and sales.

f you’re shopping for the perfect host, we’ve curated entertaining essentials from our incredible Settle customers.

Announcing our new partnership with Cin7 to introduce the first Pay with Settle button for Cin7 Core users.

Rising tariffs are disrupting supply chains, forcing CPG brands to rethink production and financing strategies. Learn how reshoring, supplier diversification, and alternative funding options can help brands navigate trade uncertainty and stay competitive.

ACH, wire transfers, electronic transfers: What’s the difference, and why does it matter? Learn more about how these work and what they mean for your business.

Settle secures up to $145 million in a new credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank

What he saw, loved and learned from the "super bowl" of CPG events.

The Accounts Payable Aging Report is an essential tool for businesses with a large number of accounts payable to track. Here’s a general breakdown of A/P Aging Reports.

The CPG landscape is no stranger to major shifts, but with discussions of a potential TikTok ban in the U.S., brands are facing a moment of reckoning. For brands that built their growth strategy around TikTok’s algorithm – this uncertainty is a wakeup call.

Q4 will be here before you know it. Discover how proactive brands are using working capital now to secure inventory, boost margins, and avoid year-end chaos.

Equity dilution can be a very concerning process for shareholders who are unfamiliar with its consequences. This is how to avoid equity dilution and keep stocks healthy.

Accounts payable (AP) refers to all the payments that a business owes its suppliers and creditors. Neglecting your accounts payable process can lead to production and supply issues.

Black Friday sets the tone for your business’ holiday season. Start early on forecasting demand, devising marketing strategies, and preparing your site.

Moving from direct-to-consumer to retail distribution is a major leap that requires careful planning, financial precision, and a willingness to tackle new challenges head-on. Whether you’re preparing to scale into broader retail or just getting your first taste of the shelf life, this is your chance to get noticed—without the usual barriers.

We’ve launched 11 new updates to help you move faster—from tagging SKUs in bulk to attaching docs to sales orders. Whether you're cleaning up your catalog or keeping vendors in the loop, there's something here to make your back office smoother and more organized.

Securing a big retail order is a game-changer for any CPG brand, but growth brings complexity. Managing wholesale, retail partnerships, and supplier payments while keeping cash flow healthy requires the right financial strategies.

Discover the steps of a purchase order journey from identifying needs to invoice processing.

Connect your supply chain, operations, purchasing, and accounting workflows into a single platform

Figuring how to find the right accounting firm for your company can be difficult. Here’s how to choose the best accounting firm for any business.

Still running your inventory business on spreadsheets? As your business scales, manual financial tracking creates costly errors and bottlenecks. Discover the key signs it's time to upgrade and how automation can streamline operations, improve cash flow, and fuel growth.

Settle raises their Series B

Selling wholesale is one of the most important steps that a small business can take towards greater success. This is how any startup can do exactly that.

A quick breakdown of inventory planning and different factors that should be considered when planning.

It doesn’t matter how big a company is: Purchase orders can help streamline many processes and keep things traceable and organized.

Learning to navigate inventory management can be a tricky part of growing your brand. Check out our guide to inventory management to find out more about it.

Dive into what are BOMs and how they drive efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

These indulgent picks are all about treating yourself to the ultimate in beauty, comfort, and style—because you deserve it this holiday season!

Discover how CPG startups can navigate paid advertising on a budget. Learn pricing strategies, content tactics, and agency evaluation tips for marketing success.

If you’re gifting at the last minute, we’ve curated ideas from the most intentional brands—our Settle customer products. Get a head start on 2025 with our picks for self-care.

Many direct-to-consumer and eCommerce brands have begun selling products on Amazon because it’s convenient and customer-friendly. This guide tells you how to do it.

Prime Day is a major opportunity, but only if you're prepared. Learn how to use Settle to fund purchase orders, track true landed costs, and forecast demand with confidence.

A popular source of funding is financing from angel investors and VCs. Yet many companies fail to recognise non-dilutive funding — where no ownership is lost.

In this episode of the Second in Command podcast, Olivia Micallef, the COO of Settle, talks about how Settle helps consumer scale by optimizing cash flow and her journey from a large company to a small company.

Discover how auditing your purchase order process can lead to improved efficiency and accuracy in your supply chain.

Discover the cash flow metric that can make or break a business

For emerging CPG brands, navigating challenges like supply chain disruptions and retail changes underscores the critical importance of understanding and managing retailer and distributor margins, as it directly impacts profitability and success in the industry.

Learn the process of verifying your PO, GRN, and invoice to ensure precise vendor payments.

Ecommerce brands are built on speed, but accounting is often left in the dust. When revenue, fees, inventory purchases, and vendor payments all live in disconnected systems, financial blind spots emerge. And those hidden costs, the time spent reconciling, the errors, the missed margins, slowly chip away at growth. The good news? Modern tools like A2X are helping brands close the gap, giving founders back their margins (and their sanity).

Settle is now your unified solution for best in class procurement, inventory, AP, and financing.

Distribution partners are some of the most important parts of scaling up a small business or startup. This is what they are and how they can help small businesses.

Discover how Settle’s Accounts Payable (AP) automation fosters robust vendor relationships for inventory-led success.

Running a CPG brand is deeply personal—and in uncertain times, every dollar counts. With a 90-day tariff reprieve in effect, now’s the moment to regroup and reclaim margin. In this post, we explore how to use landed cost tracking and cost allocation models to make smarter purchasing decisions, plus how Settle’s tools can help founders price confidently, cut operational waste, and protect what matters most.

Partnering with the right distributor is arguably one of the most essential tasks for a retail company. Find out what to look for in distribution partners and how to source them.

Understanding accounts payable and accounts receivable is an essential part of business workflow. So how do they differ? Learn more about them in this guide.

Discover the full SKU lifecycle—from purchase order to payment—and how Settle helps inventory brands automate operations and improve cash flow visibility.

Including new ways brands are marketing themselves and their favorite brands from the show

Ecommerce businesses face growing challenges when it comes to accurate financial reporting. Many struggle to reconcile payouts from multiple sales channels and calculate true landed costs for their inventory. In this webinar, A2X and Settle walk through a smarter workflow that brings these pieces together, helping brands get accurate COGS, cleaner books, and better financial visibility.

Finding the right accounting or fractional CFO firm is crucial for a CPG brand's financial success - find the right one for you that specializes in scaling eCommerce and consumer brands.

Including sales tips and some of their favorite brands

Managing inventory as a food CPG founder isn’t just about stocking shelves, it’s about cash flow. Learn how to forecast demand, balance stock levels, and optimize purchasing to keep your business running efficiently.

Learn why start-ups should use purchase orders to streamline processes, track spending, and enhance financial management.

First platform for inventory businesses to natively order, receive, match, and pay to ensure accuracy and efficiency for CPG brands

The new offerings streamline and automate manual tasks, empowering brands to reduce errors, save time, and focus on growth.

A company’s ability to make a cash flow forecast is essential in the world of modern business. Here is everything you need to know about cash flow forecasting.

Using Amazon FBA is a great way for companies to expand their scalability and fulfillment abilities. Here is how it works, and how businesses can benefit from it.

Wire transfers can be the quickest method of exchanging funds. Knowing how long it takes can help determine whether wire transfer is the best solution.

Hidden fees, strict repayment terms, and misleading APRs can hurt more than help. Before committing to funding for your CPG or ecommerce brand, know the difference between your capital options.

Navigate the dawn of a new year with insights on cash flow management, as we unveil strategies to empower CPG brands for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Debt financing allows businesses to maintain full ownership while providing predictable repayment terms, tax advantages, and improved creditworthiness, making it a strategic choice for growth.

Understanding good cash flow management is critical for managers. Without proper systems in place, many businesses end up failing.

We put our heads together with the folks at IndieCPG to create a guide to the basics of cashflow for new (and maybe even not-so-new) founders.

Settle has acquired Turbine, a company that shares Settle’s mission to help brands solve their toughest operational challenges. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Settle as we expand our capabilities to better serve consumer brands looking to scale with efficiency and precision.