Investors reportedly expect new U.S. tariffs to be good for sellers of secondhand goods.
\nIn the time since the White House announced tariffs on April 2, the shares of two such firms \u2014 ThredUp and Savers Value Village \u2014 have gone up 31% and 22%, respectively, while the S&P retail select index has declined 7%, the Financial Times (FT) reported Sunday (April 20).
\nSecondhand sellers can draw bargain-hunting consumers, appeal to other consumers who are looking to sell items for extra cash, sell merchandise that is immune from the tariffs, and raise prices because sellers of new imported goods will have to do the same, according to the report. In addition, this sector usually does well during economic downturns and has been appealing to younger consumers in any case.
\nAt the same time, some analysts said secondhand sellers could face inventory challenges if consumers hold on to their existing items, and could see consumers buying fewer goods of any kind amid economic uncertainty, per the report.
\nThredUp said in March, before the tariffs were announced, that it expected revenue in the range of $67.5 million to $69.5 million in the first quarter and between $270 million and $280 million for the year, PYMNTS reported at the time.
\n\u201cGiven the uncertain consumer environment and the impact tariffs might have, secondhand could become an attractive option,\u201d ThredUp CEO and Co-Founder James Reinhart said March 3 during the company\u2019s quarterly earnings call.
\nSavers Value Village, whose Canadian stores account for more than one-third of the company\u2019s revenue, was less bullish on the effects of tariffs, according to the FT report.
\nThe company\u2019s CEO, Mark Walsh, said during a February earnings call, per the report, that \u201cthe tariff issue certainly clouds the picture.\u201d
\nBefore there was talk of tariffs, consumers were turning to secondhand shopping options to manage their budgets amid inflation, according to the January 2024 PYMNTS Intelligence report, \u201cConsumers Shop Secondhand Stores as Often as Other Retail.\u201d
\nThe report found that millennials were leading the way, with 52% of the millennials who bought secondhand products during the previous year saying they had increased their resale shopping.
\nThe post Investors Expect\u00a0Secondhand Stores to Profit as Tariffs Challenge Retailers appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Investors reportedly expect new U.S. tariffs to be good for sellers of secondhand goods.\nIn the time since the White House announced tariffs on April 2, the shares of two such firms \u2014 ThredUp and Savers Value Village \u2014 have gone up 31% and 22%, respectively, while the S&P retail select index has declined 7%, the Financial Times (FT) reported Sunday (April 20).\nSecondhand sellers can draw bargain-hunting consumers, appeal to other consumers who are looking to sell items for extra cash, sell merchandise that is immune from the tariffs, and raise prices because sellers of new imported goods will have to do the same, according to the report. In addition, this sector usually does well during economic downturns and has been appealing to younger consumers in any case.\nAt the same time, some analysts said secondhand sellers could face inventory challenges if consumers hold on to their existing items, and could see consumers buying fewer goods of any kind amid economic uncertainty, per the report.\nThredUp said in March, before the tariffs were announced, that it expected revenue in the range of $67.5 million to $69.5 million in the first quarter and between $270 million and $280 million for the year, PYMNTS reported at the time.\n\u201cGiven the uncertain consumer environment and the impact tariffs might have, secondhand could become an attractive option,\u201d ThredUp CEO and Co-Founder James Reinhart said March 3 during the company\u2019s quarterly earnings call.\nSavers Value Village, whose Canadian stores account for more than one-third of the company\u2019s revenue, was less bullish on the effects of tariffs, according to the FT report.\nThe company\u2019s CEO, Mark Walsh, said during a February earnings call, per the report, that \u201cthe tariff issue certainly clouds the picture.\u201d\nBefore there was talk of tariffs, consumers were turning to secondhand shopping options to manage their budgets amid inflation, according to the January 2024 PYMNTS Intelligence report, \u201cConsumers Shop Secondhand Stores as Often as Other Retail.\u201d\nThe report found that millennials were leading the way, with 52% of the millennials who bought secondhand products during the previous year saying they had increased their resale shopping.\nThe post Investors Expect\u00a0Secondhand Stores to Profit as Tariffs Challenge Retailers appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-21T19:31:55-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-21T19:31:55-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ThredUp-secondhand.jpg", "tags": [ "Donald Trump", "James Reinhart", "Mark Walsh", "News", "PYMNTS News", "ReCommerce", "Retail", "Saver Value Village", "secondhand retail", "tariffs", "thredUP", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2688651", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/president-donald-trump-discuss-tariffs-with-major-retailers-white-house-meeting/", "title": "Reports: Trump Talks Tariffs With Walmart, Target and Others in White House Meeting", "content_html": "President Donald Trump will reportedly meet with major retailers at the White House Monday (April 21) to discuss tariffs.
\nBloomberg and Reuters reported on the meeting Monday, citing unnamed sources.
\nOne of the retailers is Home Depot, which said it works with administrations from \u201cboth sides of the aisle,\u201d according to the Bloomberg report.
\nTrump has said in the past that he would be willing to talk with companies about tariffs, per the report.
\nReuters said Monday that an unnamed White House official confirmed the Bloomberg report and the representatives of major retailers would discuss how their businesses have been affected by the tariffs.
\nWalmart said CEO Doug McMillan would be at the meeting, according to the Reuters report.
\nTrump wrote in a Sunday (April 20) post on Truth Social: \u201cThe businessmen who criticize tariffs are bad at business, but really bad at politics. They don\u2019t understand or realize that I am the greatest friend that American capitalism has ever had!\u201d
\n\nIt was reported Thursday (April 17) that some smaller retailers were being \u201cuncharacteristically blunt\u201d in sharing with customers the impact new U.S. tariffs are having on the prices of their products.
\nThis marked a change from retailers\u2019 traditional communication strategy when it comes to raising prices, Bloomberg reported Thursday.
\nIt was reported April 11 that small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are likely to suffer the biggest impact from new U.S. tariffs because while they account for one-third of imports to the United States, they don\u2019t have the resources of larger companies to deal with higher prices and other disruptions. Nearly two-thirds of SMBs said tariffs and other trade issues would hurt their company.
\nTrump\u2019s meeting with the large retailers comes during the 90-day pause that he placed on his planned higher tariffs on trading partners, without pausing those he placed on China, according to Monday\u2019s Bloomberg report. In the meantime, before those 90 days are up, White House officials are meeting with foreign leaders and business executives.
\nThe post Reports: Trump Talks Tariffs With Walmart, Target and Others in White House Meeting appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "President Donald Trump will reportedly meet with major retailers at the White House Monday (April 21) to discuss tariffs.\nBloomberg and Reuters reported on the meeting Monday, citing unnamed sources.\nOne of the retailers is Home Depot, which said it works with administrations from \u201cboth sides of the aisle,\u201d according to the Bloomberg report.\nTrump has said in the past that he would be willing to talk with companies about tariffs, per the report.\nReuters said Monday that an unnamed White House official confirmed the Bloomberg report and the representatives of major retailers would discuss how their businesses have been affected by the tariffs.\nWalmart said CEO Doug McMillan would be at the meeting, according to the Reuters report.\nTrump wrote in a Sunday (April 20) post on Truth Social: \u201cThe businessmen who criticize tariffs are bad at business, but really bad at politics. They don\u2019t understand or realize that I am the greatest friend that American capitalism has ever had!\u201d\n\nIt was reported Thursday (April 17) that some smaller retailers were being \u201cuncharacteristically blunt\u201d in sharing with customers the impact new U.S. tariffs are having on the prices of their products.\nThis marked a change from retailers\u2019 traditional communication strategy when it comes to raising prices, Bloomberg reported Thursday.\nIt was reported April 11 that small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are likely to suffer the biggest impact from new U.S. tariffs because while they account for one-third of imports to the United States, they don\u2019t have the resources of larger companies to deal with higher prices and other disruptions. Nearly two-thirds of SMBs said tariffs and other trade issues would hurt their company.\nTrump\u2019s meeting with the large retailers comes during the 90-day pause that he placed on his planned higher tariffs on trading partners, without pausing those he placed on China, according to Monday\u2019s Bloomberg report. In the meantime, before those 90 days are up, White House officials are meeting with foreign leaders and business executives.\nThe post Reports: Trump Talks Tariffs With Walmart, Target and Others in White House Meeting appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-21T15:44:44-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-21T22:26:10-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/trump-tariffs-US-GDP.jpg", "tags": [ "economy", "Government", "Home Depot", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "supply chain management", "tariffs", "taxes", "walmart", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2686973", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/inside-amazon-and-walmarts-billion-dollar-race-to-win-the-last-mile/", "title": "Inside Amazon and Walmart\u2019s Billion-Dollar Race to Win the Last Mile", "content_html": "In environments like today\u2019s, reactive operations might as well be useless ones. By the time they take effect, it is often already too late.\u00a0As the news this week from both Amazon and Walmart spotlight, against the backdrop of today\u2019s dynamic landscape, innovation must become hardwired into logistics and payments infrastructures in response to geopolitical and trade headwinds, technological acceleration and evolving consumer expectations.\u00a0
\nWalmart and Amazon are both doubling down on logistics, signaling a critical shift in how delivery infrastructure is viewed. No longer a cost center, it\u2019s now a competitive differentiator.
\nEarlier this week, Walmart announced an expansion of its delivery network that will add 12 million more U.S. households to its service coverage. This leap is driven by a data-first approach, leveraging customer insights and AI to predict demand patterns and dynamically adjust fulfillment strategies. The move supports Walmart\u2019s broader omnichannel vision, where convenience is paramount and friction is the enemy.
\nNot to be outdone, Amazon has unveiled a sweeping $15 billion investment to expand its U.S. logistics footprint. This includes up to 80 new warehouses and a further pivot into transportation with the addition of less-than-truckload (LTL) services for inbound shipments to its fulfillment centers. For a company already known for its delivery dominance, the initiative underscores Amazon\u2019s intent to make speed and control even more central to its value proposition.
\nAt the core of Amazon\u2019s operational revamp is a deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across customer-facing and back-end functions. CEO Andy Jassy recently noted that the company is working on more than 1,000 GenAI applications spanning shopping recommendations, product reviews and internal efficiencies.
\nAmazon\u2019s robotics division is a particular focal point. From automated sortation to adaptive robotics, the aim is to streamline warehouse operations while improving worker safety. Robotics vice president Joseph Quinlivan described it as \u201cbuilding an entirely new culture of automation,\u201d one where machine intelligence augments human potential.
\nHowever, even as retail giants embrace AI and expand logistics, they must navigate the complex web of global trade policy. New tariffs on Chinese goods are disrupting long-established supply chains and forcing hard decisions on pricing and procurement.
\nAmazon, for instance, has begun surveying its third-party sellers to assess the impact of tariffs on their businesses. CEO Jassy has acknowledged that consumers may bear the brunt of these costs, as sellers recalibrate to protect margins.
\nThese pressures are being felt across the eCommerce spectrum. Fast-fashion platforms Shein and Temu are preparing to raise U.S. prices following the removal of the de minimis exemption, which had previously allowed them to avoid certain import duties. With tariffs now biting at the heart of price-sensitive retail categories, some businesses are introducing explicit fees to offset new costs.
\nThis changing economic landscape is driving innovation in payments, where the mandate is clear: reduce friction and preserve value for both merchants and consumers. According to recent data from PYMNTS Intelligence, more than half of U.S. consumers now prefer digital wallets over traditional payment methods \u2014 a trend that shows no sign of slowing. As inflation and trade policy reshape pricing strategies, seamless digital payments are becoming an essential buffer, helping to maintain customer satisfaction even as costs rise.
\nDigital wallets also offer merchants a crucial source of data. With each tap, businesses gain insights into purchase behavior, enabling more precise marketing, inventory planning and loyalty rewards. In a high-stakes environment where every basis point matters, these marginal gains can drive meaningful competitive advantage.
\nThe convergence of AI, logistics and payments is creating a new operating system for retail \u2014 one built for speed, adaptability and customer intimacy. For Walmart, Amazon and others at the vanguard, the strategy is not just about keeping up with change. It\u2019s about steering into it, designing business models that thrive under complexity.
\nRetailers must harmonize AI tools with tariff strategies, payments innovations with logistics frameworks. The winners will be those who don\u2019t just optimize the system, but reimagine it entirely.
\nIn this moment of flux, the message is clear: the future of commerce won\u2019t be delivered in a box \u2014 it will be built from the ground up, across networks, algorithms, and increasingly, from the wallets in our pockets.\u00a0
\nThe post Inside Amazon and Walmart\u2019s Billion-Dollar Race to Win the Last Mile appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "In environments like today\u2019s, reactive operations might as well be useless ones. By the time they take effect, it is often already too late.\u00a0As the news this week from both Amazon and Walmart spotlight, against the backdrop of today\u2019s dynamic landscape, innovation must become hardwired into logistics and payments infrastructures in response to geopolitical and trade headwinds, technological acceleration and evolving consumer expectations.\u00a0\nRetail and Logistics Expansion\nWalmart and Amazon are both doubling down on logistics, signaling a critical shift in how delivery infrastructure is viewed. No longer a cost center, it\u2019s now a competitive differentiator.\nEarlier this week, Walmart announced an expansion of its delivery network that will add 12 million more U.S. households to its service coverage. This leap is driven by a data-first approach, leveraging customer insights and AI to predict demand patterns and dynamically adjust fulfillment strategies. The move supports Walmart\u2019s broader omnichannel vision, where convenience is paramount and friction is the enemy.\nNot to be outdone, Amazon has unveiled a sweeping $15 billion investment to expand its U.S. logistics footprint. This includes up to 80 new warehouses and a further pivot into transportation with the addition of less-than-truckload (LTL) services for inbound shipments to its fulfillment centers. For a company already known for its delivery dominance, the initiative underscores Amazon\u2019s intent to make speed and control even more central to its value proposition.\nTechnological Innovations in Retail\nAt the core of Amazon\u2019s operational revamp is a deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across customer-facing and back-end functions. CEO Andy Jassy recently noted that the company is working on more than 1,000 GenAI applications spanning shopping recommendations, product reviews and internal efficiencies.\nAmazon\u2019s robotics division is a particular focal point. From automated sortation to adaptive robotics, the aim is to streamline warehouse operations while improving worker safety. Robotics vice president Joseph Quinlivan described it as \u201cbuilding an entirely new culture of automation,\u201d one where machine intelligence augments human potential.\nHowever, even as retail giants embrace AI and expand logistics, they must navigate the complex web of global trade policy. New tariffs on Chinese goods are disrupting long-established supply chains and forcing hard decisions on pricing and procurement.\nImpact of Tariffs on eCommerce and Consumer Cost\nAmazon, for instance, has begun surveying its third-party sellers to assess the impact of tariffs on their businesses. CEO Jassy has acknowledged that consumers may bear the brunt of these costs, as sellers recalibrate to protect margins.\nThese pressures are being felt across the eCommerce spectrum. Fast-fashion platforms Shein and Temu are preparing to raise U.S. prices following the removal of the de minimis exemption, which had previously allowed them to avoid certain import duties. With tariffs now biting at the heart of price-sensitive retail categories, some businesses are introducing explicit fees to offset new costs.\nThis changing economic landscape is driving innovation in payments, where the mandate is clear: reduce friction and preserve value for both merchants and consumers. According to recent data from PYMNTS Intelligence, more than half of U.S. consumers now prefer digital wallets over traditional payment methods \u2014 a trend that shows no sign of slowing. As inflation and trade policy reshape pricing strategies, seamless digital payments are becoming an essential buffer, helping to maintain customer satisfaction even as costs rise.\nDigital wallets also offer merchants a crucial source of data. With each tap, businesses gain insights into purchase behavior, enabling more precise marketing, inventory planning and loyalty rewards. In a high-stakes environment where every basis point matters, these marginal gains can drive meaningful competitive advantage.\nLooking Ahead\nThe convergence of AI, logistics and payments is creating a new operating system for retail \u2014 one built for speed, adaptability and customer intimacy. For Walmart, Amazon and others at the vanguard, the strategy is not just about keeping up with change. It\u2019s about steering into it, designing business models that thrive under complexity.\nRetailers must harmonize AI tools with tariff strategies, payments innovations with logistics frameworks. The winners will be those who don\u2019t just optimize the system, but reimagine it entirely.\nIn this moment of flux, the message is clear: the future of commerce won\u2019t be delivered in a box \u2014 it will be built from the ground up, across networks, algorithms, and increasingly, from the wallets in our pockets.\u00a0\nThe post Inside Amazon and Walmart\u2019s Billion-Dollar Race to Win the Last Mile appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-18T04:01:42-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-20T21:03:04-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Walmart-logistics-AI-tariffs.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Amazon", "Amazon vs Walmart", "artificial intelligence", "B2B", "B2B Payments", "brick and mortar", "commercial payments", "ecommerce", "Featured News", "logistics", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "tariffs", "walmart", "What's Hot In B2B" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2687171", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/retailers-uncharacteristically-blunt-in-telling-customers-tariffs-will-raise-prices/", "title": "Retailers \u2018Uncharacteristically Blunt\u2019 in Telling Customers Tariffs Will Raise Prices", "content_html": "Some retailers are reportedly being \u201cuncharacteristically blunt\u201d in sharing with customers the impact new U.S. tariffs are having on the prices of their products.
\nThis marks a change from retailers\u2019 traditional communication strategy when it comes to rising prices, Bloomberg\u00a0reported\u00a0Thursday (April 17).
\nQuoting marketing materials sent by retailers to their customers, the report said one company told its customers that it cannot avoid raising prices because of the tariffs and that it is \u201cjust as confused as everyone else\u201d by the White House\u2019s policy changes.
\nAnother company told customers that price hikes are \u201cunfortunately unavoidable\u201d due to the tariffs, while another sent its customers a list of products comparing their prices before and after the tariffs, according to the report.\u00a0
\nThis report came on the same day that the CEO of\u00a0Fifth Third Bancorp, the indirect parent company of\u00a0Fifth Third Bank, told analysts that\u00a0nearly all the business owners he spoke with said they would need to raise prices to offset\u00a0tariff\u00a0costs because they have limited ability to absorb these costs in margins.
\n\u201cWhat was maybe a little bit interesting to me is that the folks that have domestic supply chains were also saying they have to move prices in the U.S. because they\u2019re expecting that if the tariffs hold, they\u2019re going to experience volume losses in foreign markets, and … they require a certain amount of gross margin dollars just to be able to cover overheads and run their business,\u201d Fifth Third Chairman, CEO and President\u00a0Tim Spence said during the company\u2019s quarterly earnings call.
\nPriority CEO\u00a0Tom Priore told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster in an interview posted Wednesday (April 16) that small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) navigate seas of complexity, with or without tariffs\u00a0and no matter the economic environment.
\n\u201cFrom the SMB standpoint, the exposure to tariffs at the supply chain level may actually be pretty small … but the main concern and the damage to small business lies with consumer uncertainty,\u201d Priore said.
\nPYMNTS reported Tuesday (April 15) that the first-quarter earnings results of three of the nation\u2019s largest financial institutions demonstrated that the consumer\u00a0remains on solid footing.
\nThe post Retailers \u2018Uncharacteristically Blunt\u2019 in Telling Customers Tariffs Will Raise Prices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Some retailers are reportedly being \u201cuncharacteristically blunt\u201d in sharing with customers the impact new U.S. tariffs are having on the prices of their products.\nThis marks a change from retailers\u2019 traditional communication strategy when it comes to rising prices, Bloomberg\u00a0reported\u00a0Thursday (April 17).\nQuoting marketing materials sent by retailers to their customers, the report said one company told its customers that it cannot avoid raising prices because of the tariffs and that it is \u201cjust as confused as everyone else\u201d by the White House\u2019s policy changes.\nAnother company told customers that price hikes are \u201cunfortunately unavoidable\u201d due to the tariffs, while another sent its customers a list of products comparing their prices before and after the tariffs, according to the report.\u00a0\nThis report came on the same day that the CEO of\u00a0Fifth Third Bancorp, the indirect parent company of\u00a0Fifth Third Bank, told analysts that\u00a0nearly all the business owners he spoke with said they would need to raise prices to offset\u00a0tariff\u00a0costs because they have limited ability to absorb these costs in margins.\n\u201cWhat was maybe a little bit interesting to me is that the folks that have domestic supply chains were also saying they have to move prices in the U.S. because they\u2019re expecting that if the tariffs hold, they\u2019re going to experience volume losses in foreign markets, and … they require a certain amount of gross margin dollars just to be able to cover overheads and run their business,\u201d Fifth Third Chairman, CEO and President\u00a0Tim Spence said during the company\u2019s quarterly earnings call.\nPriority CEO\u00a0Tom Priore told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster in an interview posted Wednesday (April 16) that small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) navigate seas of complexity, with or without tariffs\u00a0and no matter the economic environment.\n\u201cFrom the SMB standpoint, the exposure to tariffs at the supply chain level may actually be pretty small … but the main concern and the damage to small business lies with consumer uncertainty,\u201d Priore said.\nPYMNTS reported Tuesday (April 15) that the first-quarter earnings results of three of the nation\u2019s largest financial institutions demonstrated that the consumer\u00a0remains on solid footing.\nThe post Retailers \u2018Uncharacteristically Blunt\u2019 in Telling Customers Tariffs Will Raise Prices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-17T18:45:26-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-17T18:45:26-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tariffs-retail-economy-businesses.jpg", "tags": [ "businesses", "Consumer Spending", "Cost of Living", "economy", "inflation", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "small businesses", "SMBs", "tariffs", "trade war", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2685293", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/albertsons-sales-tick-up-as-shoppers-tighten-their-pocket-books/", "title": "Albertsons\u2019 Sales Tick Up as Shoppers \u2018Tighten Their Pocket Books\u2019", "content_html": "Grocery giant Albertsons says inflationary pressures continue to push its shoppers to seek value.
\nThe company on Tuesday (April 15) released earnings showing 24% upticks in digital sales for the quarter and full fiscal year.
\nIdentical sales were up 2.3% for the quarter \u2014 2% for the year \u2014 while the company\u2019s loyalty program membership climbed 15% to 45.6 million.\u00a0
\nManagement noted on an earnings call that its consumers continue to look for value in a tough economic environment.
\n\u201cEverything you\u2019re hearing about, our own research validates. The consumer sentiment is low, etc.,\u201d said Sharon McCollam, the company\u2019s chief financial officer.
\n\u201cBut the consumer is also saying that they will do what they\u2019ve been doing, which is seek value and find ways to tighten their pocket books, you know, food away from home versus food at home is always a decision for those customers who need value. So at this point, we have not seen a major change.\u201d
\nOne of the quarter\u2019s main sales drivers was Albertsons\u2019 pharmacy offering, where quarterly revenues were up 18% year over year.
\n\u201cAlthough the pharmacy business is financially dilutive, cross shoppers between grocery and pharmacy are exceptionally valuable, contributing outsized customer lifetime value to the total store,\u201d said Susan Morris, the company\u2019s incoming CEO.
\n\u201cFor this reason, in fiscal \u201925, we will continue to invest in our pharmacy and health platform to drive increased customer engagement and loyalty. We also expect growth in scripts and immunizations as pharmacy competitors continue to close stores.\u201d
\nShe also noted the evolution of the pharmacy customer, who will typically engage with the company in-store first for their first year before engaging across multiple platforms.
\n\u201cAs they engage with us, through those multiple platforms, that\u2019s when we start to see, the bigger unlock and their lifetime value,\u201d she said.
\nMorris is scheduled to become CEO May 1, the same day that current chief executive Vivek Sankaran is set to retire. She has been Albertson\u2019s chief operating officer since 2018.
\nOn the question of tariffs, management pointed out that the company procures 90% of its products domestically, putting it in a different position than some of its competitors. But even with those domestic purchases, there are ingredients sourced from places that are impacted by the tariffs, a situation the company says warrants further monitoring.
\n\u00a0
\nThe post Albertsons’ Sales Tick Up as Shoppers ‘Tighten Their Pocket Books’ appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Grocery giant Albertsons says inflationary pressures continue to push its shoppers to seek value.\nThe company on Tuesday (April 15) released earnings showing 24% upticks in digital sales for the quarter and full fiscal year.\nIdentical sales were up 2.3% for the quarter \u2014 2% for the year \u2014 while the company\u2019s loyalty program membership climbed 15% to 45.6 million.\u00a0\nManagement noted on an earnings call that its consumers continue to look for value in a tough economic environment.\n\u201cEverything you\u2019re hearing about, our own research validates. The consumer sentiment is low, etc.,\u201d said Sharon McCollam, the company\u2019s chief financial officer.\n\u201cBut the consumer is also saying that they will do what they\u2019ve been doing, which is seek value and find ways to tighten their pocket books, you know, food away from home versus food at home is always a decision for those customers who need value. So at this point, we have not seen a major change.\u201d\nOne of the quarter\u2019s main sales drivers was Albertsons\u2019 pharmacy offering, where quarterly revenues were up 18% year over year.\n\u201cAlthough the pharmacy business is financially dilutive, cross shoppers between grocery and pharmacy are exceptionally valuable, contributing outsized customer lifetime value to the total store,\u201d said Susan Morris, the company\u2019s incoming CEO.\n\u201cFor this reason, in fiscal \u201925, we will continue to invest in our pharmacy and health platform to drive increased customer engagement and loyalty. We also expect growth in scripts and immunizations as pharmacy competitors continue to close stores.\u201d\nShe also noted the evolution of the pharmacy customer, who will typically engage with the company in-store first for their first year before engaging across multiple platforms.\n\u201cAs they engage with us, through those multiple platforms, that\u2019s when we start to see, the bigger unlock and their lifetime value,\u201d she said.\nMorris is scheduled to become CEO May 1, the same day that current chief executive Vivek Sankaran is set to retire. She has been Albertson\u2019s chief operating officer since 2018.\nOn the question of tariffs, management pointed out that the company procures 90% of its products domestically, putting it in a different position than some of its competitors. But even with those domestic purchases, there are ingredients sourced from places that are impacted by the tariffs, a situation the company says warrants further monitoring.\n\u00a0\nThe post Albertsons’ Sales Tick Up as Shoppers ‘Tighten Their Pocket Books’ appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-15T17:47:55-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-15T17:47:55-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Albertsons-2.jpg", "tags": [ "Albertsons", "Consumer Spending", "Earnings", "grocery", "inflation", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "Supermarkets", "tariffs", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2684271", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/38percent-zillennials-value-locally-sourced-retail-products/", "title": "38% of Zillennials Value Locally Sourced Retail Products", "content_html": "Navigating retail demands an understanding of the consumers shaping its future. Arguably, the future belongs to zillennials, a pivotal demographic.
\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cWhat Makes Zillennials Shop?\u201d explored the preferences and values-driven buying habits of zillennials, defined as consumers born between 1991 and 1999. It highlighted their growing impact on the retail market as they come of age.
\nThe report revealed that zillennials are not a monolithic group; rather, they exhibit a polarization between brand loyalty and a pursuit of the best deals. While many prioritize price when choosing retailers, a higher percentage compared to the general population places greater importance on the availability of their preferred brands.
\nZillennials are less likely than older generations to view brand loyalty and price as equally important, per the report. This suggests a more decisive shopping behavior driven by either a strong connection to specific brands, as evidenced by their disproportionate likelihood of holding brand subscriptions, or a focus on maximizing value.
\n\n\nBeyond price and brand, the report underscored the role of values in zillennials\u2019 purchasing decisions. They are more inclined than older generations, including even Generation Z, to favor merchants whose environmental and social values align with their own. Many actively seek out environmentally sustainable products and prioritize merchants with ethical social practices.
\nFurthermore, 38% of zillennials show an interest in locally made or sourced products, the report revealed. This demographic is more likely than others to care whether a merchant is local or community owned.
\nThe influence of others also heavily shapes their shopping habits. Recommendations from family and friends impact their retail purchases, and social media influencers and celebrities play a more substantial role in their buying decisions compared to older demographics, per the report. This highlights the importance of social networks and the opinions of peers in resonating with this generation.
\nHere are three key data points from the PYMNTS Intelligence research:
\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report also uncovered other aspects of zillennial shopping behavior. For instance, their engagement with voice technology and further details on their sources of shopping inspiration are explored in the full \u201cGeneration Zillennial\u201d reports. The findings underscore the necessity for retailers to understand and adapt to the distinct preferences of this influential demographic to succeed in the evolving market.
\nThe post 38% of Zillennials Value Locally Sourced Retail Products appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Navigating retail demands an understanding of the consumers shaping its future. Arguably, the future belongs to zillennials, a pivotal demographic.\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cWhat Makes Zillennials Shop?\u201d explored the preferences and values-driven buying habits of zillennials, defined as consumers born between 1991 and 1999. It highlighted their growing impact on the retail market as they come of age.\nThe report revealed that zillennials are not a monolithic group; rather, they exhibit a polarization between brand loyalty and a pursuit of the best deals. While many prioritize price when choosing retailers, a higher percentage compared to the general population places greater importance on the availability of their preferred brands.\nZillennials are less likely than older generations to view brand loyalty and price as equally important, per the report. This suggests a more decisive shopping behavior driven by either a strong connection to specific brands, as evidenced by their disproportionate likelihood of holding brand subscriptions, or a focus on maximizing value.\n\n\nBeyond price and brand, the report underscored the role of values in zillennials\u2019 purchasing decisions. They are more inclined than older generations, including even Generation Z, to favor merchants whose environmental and social values align with their own. Many actively seek out environmentally sustainable products and prioritize merchants with ethical social practices.\nFurthermore, 38% of zillennials show an interest in locally made or sourced products, the report revealed. This demographic is more likely than others to care whether a merchant is local or community owned.\nThe influence of others also heavily shapes their shopping habits. Recommendations from family and friends impact their retail purchases, and social media influencers and celebrities play a more substantial role in their buying decisions compared to older demographics, per the report. This highlights the importance of social networks and the opinions of peers in resonating with this generation.\nHere are three key data points from the PYMNTS Intelligence research:\n\nForty-one percent of zillennials prioritize price over brand availability when choosing a retail merchant, a higher share than the 38% of the total sample.\nTwenty-one percent of zillennials consider the availability of their preferred brands more important than price, higher than the 16% of the overall population.\nThirty-eight percent of zillennials consider it very or extremely important that merchants offer environmentally sustainable products, a higher percentage than Generation X (less than 25%) and baby boomers and seniors (20%).\n\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report also uncovered other aspects of zillennial shopping behavior. For instance, their engagement with voice technology and further details on their sources of shopping inspiration are explored in the full \u201cGeneration Zillennial\u201d reports. The findings underscore the necessity for retailers to understand and adapt to the distinct preferences of this influential demographic to succeed in the evolving market.\nThe post 38% of Zillennials Value Locally Sourced Retail Products appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-15T04:00:34-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-14T16:56:51-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/zillennials-retail-shopping-trends.jpg", "tags": [ "ecommerce", "Featured News", "News", "PYMNTS Intelligence", "PYMNTS News", "PYMNTS Study", "Retail", "Social Media", "What Makes Zillennials Shop?", "Zillennials" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2683523", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/businesses-begin-tacking-on-fees-in-response-to-tariffs/", "title": "Businesses Begin Tacking On Fees in Response to Tariffs", "content_html": "Companies across industries have begun issuing new fees in response to U.S. tariffs.
\nAnd with those fees, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Sunday (April 13), comes a message: Please don\u2019t blame us.
\nIn some cases, the report said, these businesses are adding flat fees, while others are charging customers a percentage of the subtotal. The idea is to pass on some of the cost of the tariffs onto consumers, especially on Chinese-made products \u2014\u00a0while placing some responsibility on President Donald Trump.
\n\u201cWe think transparency is the way to go here, and I am giving Trump full credit for his decision to add this tariff to all American consumers,\u201d said Ryan Babenzien, CEO of Jolie, which sells high-end filtered shower heads that are made in China.
\nHe told WSJ to he would add a \u201cTrump Liberation Tariff\u201d to online orders in the weeks ahead, though the amount of that levy will depend on how the larger tariff situation plays out the company\u2019s tariff-cost calculations.
\nOther businesses are being more direct about the tariffs. For example, BigBadToyStore, which sells action figures and collectibles, recently wrote to its customers telling them it would apply a tariff-related fee to preordered items.
\n\u201cI absolutely hate increasing prices to you, but the tariff situation is beyond our control,\u201d wrote Joel Boblit, the company’s president and founder, promising to reduce or remove the charge if the tariffs decreased.\u00a0
\nPYMNTS examined the impact the tariffs are having on the financial services world last week in a conversation with Amias Gerety, partner at QED Investors.
\nThe uncertainty surrounding the tariffs, he told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster, is the key element undermining financial services, which depend on stability to provide loans, extend credit and make long-term investments.\u00a0
\nConditions being what they are, it\u2019s hard for businesses to make long-term commitments, whether constructing factories, expanding supply chains, or undertaking major projects.\u00a0
\n\u201cFinancial services need certainty,\u201d said Gerety, who served as a Treasury department official under the Obama administration. \u201cIf you\u2019re planning for 10 or 14 years, uncertainty is devastating.\u201d
\nAs companies approach earnings season, investors and executives brace for troubling guidance. Gerety expected sharp downward revisions in forecasts and increased volatility. While first quarter results may seem stable due to positive conditions, they now offer little predictive power given the drastically transformed economic landscape.\u00a0
\nMajor financial institutions, including JPMorgan, have already adjusted their forecasts toward predicting recessionary conditions.
\n\u201cQ1 was still a benign environment,\u201d Gerety said, adding, \u201cbut the environment has changed dramatically, and even guidance will reflect that heightened uncertainty.\u201d
\nThe post Businesses Begin Tacking On Fees in Response to Tariffs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Companies across industries have begun issuing new fees in response to U.S. tariffs.\nAnd with those fees, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Sunday (April 13), comes a message: Please don\u2019t blame us.\nIn some cases, the report said, these businesses are adding flat fees, while others are charging customers a percentage of the subtotal. The idea is to pass on some of the cost of the tariffs onto consumers, especially on Chinese-made products \u2014\u00a0while placing some responsibility on President Donald Trump.\n\u201cWe think transparency is the way to go here, and I am giving Trump full credit for his decision to add this tariff to all American consumers,\u201d said Ryan Babenzien, CEO of Jolie, which sells high-end filtered shower heads that are made in China.\nHe told WSJ to he would add a \u201cTrump Liberation Tariff\u201d to online orders in the weeks ahead, though the amount of that levy will depend on how the larger tariff situation plays out the company\u2019s tariff-cost calculations.\nOther businesses are being more direct about the tariffs. For example, BigBadToyStore, which sells action figures and collectibles, recently wrote to its customers telling them it would apply a tariff-related fee to preordered items.\n\u201cI absolutely hate increasing prices to you, but the tariff situation is beyond our control,\u201d wrote Joel Boblit, the company’s president and founder, promising to reduce or remove the charge if the tariffs decreased.\u00a0\nPYMNTS examined the impact the tariffs are having on the financial services world last week in a conversation with Amias Gerety, partner at QED Investors.\nThe uncertainty surrounding the tariffs, he told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster, is the key element undermining financial services, which depend on stability to provide loans, extend credit and make long-term investments.\u00a0\nConditions being what they are, it\u2019s hard for businesses to make long-term commitments, whether constructing factories, expanding supply chains, or undertaking major projects.\u00a0\n\u201cFinancial services need certainty,\u201d said Gerety, who served as a Treasury department official under the Obama administration. \u201cIf you\u2019re planning for 10 or 14 years, uncertainty is devastating.\u201d\nAs companies approach earnings season, investors and executives brace for troubling guidance. Gerety expected sharp downward revisions in forecasts and increased volatility. While first quarter results may seem stable due to positive conditions, they now offer little predictive power given the drastically transformed economic landscape.\u00a0\nMajor financial institutions, including JPMorgan, have already adjusted their forecasts toward predicting recessionary conditions.\n\u201cQ1 was still a benign environment,\u201d Gerety said, adding, \u201cbut the environment has changed dramatically, and even guidance will reflect that heightened uncertainty.\u201d\nThe post Businesses Begin Tacking On Fees in Response to Tariffs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-13T19:31:01-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-13T19:32:31-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tariffs-fees.jpg", "tags": [ "BigBadToyStore", "Donald Trump", "ecommerce", "Joel Boblit", "Jolie", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "Ryan Babenzien", "small and medium sized businesses", "small businesses", "SMBs", "tariff fees", "tariff markup", "tariffs", "trade war", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2683066", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/report-five-below-suspends-shipments-from-china-due-to-tariffs/", "title": "Report: Five Below Suspends Shipments From China Due to Tariffs", "content_html": "Discount retail chain Five Below reportedly suspended cargo shipments from China due to the trade war between the country and the U.S.
\nA shipping company used by the retailer told suppliers that Five Below suspended its cargo shipments, that no containers should be delivered to the yard starting Thursday (April 10) and that containers already loaded should be unpacked and returned to the carrier, Bloomberg reported Friday (April 11), citing a letter sent by the shipper to suppliers.
\nIt is not clear if the letter went to all Five Below vendors, or only some, according to the report.
\nReached by PYMNTS, Five Below said in an emailed statement that it has paused orders from China while it evaluates its options for mitigating the tariffs.
\n\u201cFive Below is committed to providing the best trend-right products our customers want and need at a great price,\u201d the statement said. \u201cWe are utilizing several tools to help mitigate tariffs and swiftly assessing the best of many available options for us to continue to bring forward great product at superior value in the current climate. In order to ensure maximum flexibility, we proactively paused orders from China given the escalation in the tariffs as we evaluate all options.\u201d
\nThe most recent tariff increases announced by the U.S. likely pose costs of 90% to 95% for Five Below, the Bloomberg report said, citing an estimate from Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel.
\nFive Below Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Kristy Chipman said in March that 60% of the retailer\u2019s total cost of goods are imported from China, either directly or through its domestic vendors, PYMNTS reported at the time.
\n\u201cWe are dealing with the tariffs that are in place today and our mitigation initiatives are well under way,\u201d Chipman said March 19 during the retailer\u2019s quarterly earnings call. \u201cThese initiatives include vendor collaboration, selective price adjustments primarily within our $1 to $5 price points, diversification of sourcing and increasing our focus on product newness.\u201d
\nGlobal container bookings dropped 49% when the period of April 1-8 is compared to the previous week, March 24-31, the Bloomberg report said, citing an estimate from Vizion.
\nIn a blog post announcing that finding, Vizion said that data shows how global shippers are reacting to changes in tariffs.
\n\u201cThis dramatic drop aligned with two key developments: the April 4th U.S. tariff announcement, followed by China\u2019s retaliatory measures announced on April 5th,\u201d the post said. \u201cThe result? A widespread booking freeze, as shippers paused mid-shipment cycle to reassess costs, timelines and broader trade strategy.\u201d
\nThe biggest drops have been seen in discretionary or seasonal categories, the post said.
\nIt was reported April 9 that Amazon canceled orders from multiple vendors in China and other Asian countries after President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement that the U.S. planned to levy tariffs on goods from more than 180 countries.
\nThe post Report: Five Below Suspends Shipments From China Due to Tariffs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Discount retail chain Five Below reportedly suspended cargo shipments from China due to the trade war between the country and the U.S.\nA shipping company used by the retailer told suppliers that Five Below suspended its cargo shipments, that no containers should be delivered to the yard starting Thursday (April 10) and that containers already loaded should be unpacked and returned to the carrier, Bloomberg reported Friday (April 11), citing a letter sent by the shipper to suppliers.\nIt is not clear if the letter went to all Five Below vendors, or only some, according to the report.\nReached by PYMNTS, Five Below said in an emailed statement that it has paused orders from China while it evaluates its options for mitigating the tariffs.\n\u201cFive Below is committed to providing the best trend-right products our customers want and need at a great price,\u201d the statement said. \u201cWe are utilizing several tools to help mitigate tariffs and swiftly assessing the best of many available options for us to continue to bring forward great product at superior value in the current climate. In order to ensure maximum flexibility, we proactively paused orders from China given the escalation in the tariffs as we evaluate all options.\u201d\nThe most recent tariff increases announced by the U.S. likely pose costs of 90% to 95% for Five Below, the Bloomberg report said, citing an estimate from Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel.\nFive Below Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Kristy Chipman said in March that 60% of the retailer\u2019s total cost of goods are imported from China, either directly or through its domestic vendors, PYMNTS reported at the time.\n\u201cWe are dealing with the tariffs that are in place today and our mitigation initiatives are well under way,\u201d Chipman said March 19 during the retailer\u2019s quarterly earnings call. \u201cThese initiatives include vendor collaboration, selective price adjustments primarily within our $1 to $5 price points, diversification of sourcing and increasing our focus on product newness.\u201d\nGlobal container bookings dropped 49% when the period of April 1-8 is compared to the previous week, March 24-31, the Bloomberg report said, citing an estimate from Vizion.\nIn a blog post announcing that finding, Vizion said that data shows how global shippers are reacting to changes in tariffs.\n\u201cThis dramatic drop aligned with two key developments: the April 4th U.S. tariff announcement, followed by China\u2019s retaliatory measures announced on April 5th,\u201d the post said. \u201cThe result? A widespread booking freeze, as shippers paused mid-shipment cycle to reassess costs, timelines and broader trade strategy.\u201d\nThe biggest drops have been seen in discretionary or seasonal categories, the post said.\nIt was reported April 9 that Amazon canceled orders from multiple vendors in China and other Asian countries after President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement that the U.S. planned to levy tariffs on goods from more than 180 countries.\nThe post Report: Five Below Suspends Shipments From China Due to Tariffs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-11T17:46:58-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-11T18:26:51-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Five-Below-1.jpg", "tags": [ "china", "discount stores", "economy", "Five Below", "imports", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "tariffs", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2682031", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/amazon-and-walmart-overhaul-supply-chains-as-china-tariffs-bite/", "title": "Amazon and Walmart Overhaul Supply Chains as China Tariffs Bite", "content_html": "When Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., abruptly withdrew its first-quarter operating income guidance last week, the message was unmistakable: the tariff storm is shaking the foundations of retail planning. The announcement, citing the need to maintain pricing flexibility amid newly implemented tariffs, is emblematic of the intense pressure facing multinational retailers in a geopolitically charged economic environment.
\nFor retail giants Amazon and Walmart, the realities of today\u2019s macro landscape mark a broader inflection point where the behemoths are recalibrating everything, from procurement strategies to pricing models, in order to stay resilient.
\nWhile the U.S.-led tariff tilt-a-whirl may have been paused for now, the duties in place on China remain. They are continuing to reverberate through the corridors of global retail. For companies like Walmart and Amazon, which rely heavily on Asian suppliers, the increased duties are significantly altering cost structures.
\nWalmart\u2019s withdrawal of income projections was as much about signaling to investors as it was a logistical recalibration. With cost volatility in imported goods, particularly consumer electronics, apparel and home goods, Walmart needs maneuverability to protect its value proposition: low prices. Maintaining that edge while preserving margins is a delicate balancing act that tariffs make even more precarious.
\nAmazon, meanwhile, is taking a more aggressive, if quieter, stance. According to reports, the eCommerce titan has canceled orders from several Asian vendors in the wake of the tariffs. These preemptive cancellations are aimed at curbing financial exposure but have also created ripple effects throughout its sprawling supplier network.
\nIn a parallel development, many Chinese sellers on Amazon are facing a stark choice: raise prices or exit the U.S. market altogether. With tariffs sharply increasing logistics and production costs, profit margins have thinned to unsustainable levels. Some sellers have opted to shift inventory to non-U.S. marketplaces, while others are looking to re-source their goods through Southeast Asia or Latin America \u2014 regions not currently subject to the same trade penalties.
\nAccording to PYMNTS Intelligence research, 60% of CFOs expect the tariffs to bring about additional economic uncertainty and planning challenges. The research also found that\u00a0almost 70% of finance chiefs foresee supply shortages and product delays, with a similar share executing new costs to restructure their supply chains.
\nRead more: Walmart Takes Pricing Fight to Suppliers as Amazon Mulls TikTok Bid
\nEven as Amazon trims its vendor list, it\u2019s pushing the boundaries of operational innovation. In a surprising move, the company has begun testing a pilot program that equips its delivery drivers with defibrillators, enabling them to respond to emergency calls en route.
\nThis initiative, while seemingly out of left field, is aligned with Amazon\u2019s long-term playbook: deepen integration into daily life. Beyond potential PR wins and community goodwill, the program could serve as a proof-of-concept for expanding Amazon\u2019s logistics network into new service categories \u2014 from healthcare to smart-city infrastructure.
\nWhile tariffs tighten profit margins, the battle for consumer loyalty is also pushing retailers to double down on expansion. Sam\u2019s Club, Walmart\u2019s membership-based warehouse chain, has announced plans to open 15 new stores annually. The strategy targets budget-conscious consumers seeking value during times of economic strain.
\nAnd amid the scramble to manage tariffs and revamp operations, Amazon is eyeing a different kind of prize: federal software contracts. As the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) pushes to overhaul outdated systems, the eCommerce giant reportedly sees an opportunity to anchor itself in the $200 billion government IT market.
\n\u200bIn his 2024 letter to shareholders, published Thursday (April 10), Amazon CEO Andy Jassy emphasized the transformative potential of GenAI, stating that it is poised to reinvent virtually every customer experience and enable new ones.\u00a0
\nHe noted that Amazon is investing aggressively in AI technologies, including the development of custom AI chips like Trainium2, to reduce costs and improve performance. Jassy asserted that companies not planning to leverage these intelligent models risk becoming uncompetitive.\u00a0
\nAmazon competitor Walmart is not one of those companies facing that danger. On Wednesday (April 9), Walmart launched Trend-to-Product, a new proprietary tech solution created to support Walmart\u2019s designers and merchants that uses AI and GenAI to analyze and synthesize global data and trends, pulling information from the internet and tastemakers to power the Walmart Fashion team in creating on-trend, high-quality items.
\nUltimately, the themes this week highlight the significant impact of recent tariffs on retail strategies and supply chains, as well as the efforts by the world\u2019s largest retailers to innovate and expand their operations in response to evolving market conditions.\u200b
\nThe post Amazon and Walmart Overhaul Supply Chains as China Tariffs Bite appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "When Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., abruptly withdrew its first-quarter operating income guidance last week, the message was unmistakable: the tariff storm is shaking the foundations of retail planning. The announcement, citing the need to maintain pricing flexibility amid newly implemented tariffs, is emblematic of the intense pressure facing multinational retailers in a geopolitically charged economic environment.\nFor retail giants Amazon and Walmart, the realities of today\u2019s macro landscape mark a broader inflection point where the behemoths are recalibrating everything, from procurement strategies to pricing models, in order to stay resilient.\nTariff Ripple Requires Real-Time Strategic Shifts\nWhile the U.S.-led tariff tilt-a-whirl may have been paused for now, the duties in place on China remain. They are continuing to reverberate through the corridors of global retail. For companies like Walmart and Amazon, which rely heavily on Asian suppliers, the increased duties are significantly altering cost structures.\nWalmart\u2019s withdrawal of income projections was as much about signaling to investors as it was a logistical recalibration. With cost volatility in imported goods, particularly consumer electronics, apparel and home goods, Walmart needs maneuverability to protect its value proposition: low prices. Maintaining that edge while preserving margins is a delicate balancing act that tariffs make even more precarious.\nAmazon, meanwhile, is taking a more aggressive, if quieter, stance. According to reports, the eCommerce titan has canceled orders from several Asian vendors in the wake of the tariffs. These preemptive cancellations are aimed at curbing financial exposure but have also created ripple effects throughout its sprawling supplier network.\nIn a parallel development, many Chinese sellers on Amazon are facing a stark choice: raise prices or exit the U.S. market altogether. With tariffs sharply increasing logistics and production costs, profit margins have thinned to unsustainable levels. Some sellers have opted to shift inventory to non-U.S. marketplaces, while others are looking to re-source their goods through Southeast Asia or Latin America \u2014 regions not currently subject to the same trade penalties.\nAccording to PYMNTS Intelligence research, 60% of CFOs expect the tariffs to bring about additional economic uncertainty and planning challenges. The research also found that\u00a0almost 70% of finance chiefs foresee supply shortages and product delays, with a similar share executing new costs to restructure their supply chains.\nRead more: Walmart Takes Pricing Fight to Suppliers as Amazon Mulls TikTok Bid\nExpansion as Defense in Today\u2019s Environment \nEven as Amazon trims its vendor list, it\u2019s pushing the boundaries of operational innovation. In a surprising move, the company has begun testing a pilot program that equips its delivery drivers with defibrillators, enabling them to respond to emergency calls en route.\nThis initiative, while seemingly out of left field, is aligned with Amazon\u2019s long-term playbook: deepen integration into daily life. Beyond potential PR wins and community goodwill, the program could serve as a proof-of-concept for expanding Amazon\u2019s logistics network into new service categories \u2014 from healthcare to smart-city infrastructure.\nWhile tariffs tighten profit margins, the battle for consumer loyalty is also pushing retailers to double down on expansion. Sam\u2019s Club, Walmart\u2019s membership-based warehouse chain, has announced plans to open 15 new stores annually. The strategy targets budget-conscious consumers seeking value during times of economic strain.\nAnd amid the scramble to manage tariffs and revamp operations, Amazon is eyeing a different kind of prize: federal software contracts. As the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) pushes to overhaul outdated systems, the eCommerce giant reportedly sees an opportunity to anchor itself in the $200 billion government IT market.\nEmbracing Technology to Innovate and Grow \n\u200bIn his 2024 letter to shareholders, published Thursday (April 10), Amazon CEO Andy Jassy emphasized the transformative potential of GenAI, stating that it is poised to reinvent virtually every customer experience and enable new ones.\u00a0\nHe noted that Amazon is investing aggressively in AI technologies, including the development of custom AI chips like Trainium2, to reduce costs and improve performance. Jassy asserted that companies not planning to leverage these intelligent models risk becoming uncompetitive.\u00a0\nAmazon competitor Walmart is not one of those companies facing that danger. On Wednesday (April 9), Walmart launched Trend-to-Product, a new proprietary tech solution created to support Walmart\u2019s designers and merchants that uses AI and GenAI to analyze and synthesize global data and trends, pulling information from the internet and tastemakers to power the Walmart Fashion team in creating on-trend, high-quality items.\nUltimately, the themes this week highlight the significant impact of recent tariffs on retail strategies and supply chains, as well as the efforts by the world\u2019s largest retailers to innovate and expand their operations in response to evolving market conditions.\u200b\nThe post Amazon and Walmart Overhaul Supply Chains as China Tariffs Bite appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-11T04:00:37-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-10T21:11:48-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Amazon-Walmart-tariffs-retail-economy.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Amazon", "Amazon vs Walmart", "artificial intelligence", "brick and mortar", "china", "Donald Trump", "ecommerce", "economy", "Featured News", "GenAI", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "sam's club", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "tariffs", "trade war", "trump administration", "walmart" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2681117", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2025/sams-club-accelerates-store-openings-anticipates-more-business-in-tough-times/", "title": "Sam\u2019s Club Accelerates Store Openings, Anticipates More Business in \u2018Tough Times\u2019", "content_html": "Walmart\u2019s warehouse club business, Sam\u2019s Club, reportedly plans to open 15 stores per year, saying its ability to save customers money is even more relevant in uncertain times.
\nThe retailer\u2019s plan for new stores marks an acceleration, as it said two years ago that it would open 30 stores in five years, CNBC reported Wednesday (April 9).
\nSam\u2019s Club CEO Chris Nicholas said in the report that the business expects to gain customers as they look to save money in tough economic times.
\n\u201cIn times of plenty, we do well. But in tough times, we do really well,\u201d Nicholas told CNBC in an interview.
\nNicholas announced the retailer\u2019s plans during Walmart\u2019s investor day held Wednesday, according to the report.
\nHe also said Sam\u2019s Club plans to renovate all of its locations in the U.S., which number about 600, per the report.
\nBoth the remodeled locations and the new ones will adopt an \u201call-digital\u201d format introduced in October at a Sam\u2019s Club in Grapevine, Texas, according to the report. That format includes no checkout lanes, store displays of items sold only online, and a larger area for fulfilling orders placed online and either picked up at curbside or delivered to the customer\u2019s home.
\nSam\u2019s Club also expects to double its membership over the next eight to 10 years, helped in part by the new stores, per the report.
\nOther warehouse clubs have also announced growth plans, with Costco planning to open 28 new stores in its current fiscal year and BJ\u2019s Wholesale Club planning to add 25 to 30 new stores over the next two fiscal years, the report said.
\nIn a press release issued Wednesday ahead of its investor day, Walmart said that it added 373 stores and clubs over the past two years, while renovating another 1,930, and that the convenience of faster delivery, curbside pickup and in-store shopping are helping drive the company\u2019s growth.
\n\u201cHistory tells us that when we lean into these periods of uncertainty, Walmart emerges on the other side with greater share and a stronger business,\u201d John David Rainey, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Walmart, said in the release.
\nThe post Sam\u2019s Club Accelerates Store Openings, Anticipates More Business in \u2018Tough Times\u2019 appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Walmart\u2019s warehouse club business, Sam\u2019s Club, reportedly plans to open 15 stores per year, saying its ability to save customers money is even more relevant in uncertain times.\nThe retailer\u2019s plan for new stores marks an acceleration, as it said two years ago that it would open 30 stores in five years, CNBC reported Wednesday (April 9).\nSam\u2019s Club CEO Chris Nicholas said in the report that the business expects to gain customers as they look to save money in tough economic times.\n\u201cIn times of plenty, we do well. But in tough times, we do really well,\u201d Nicholas told CNBC in an interview.\nNicholas announced the retailer\u2019s plans during Walmart\u2019s investor day held Wednesday, according to the report.\nHe also said Sam\u2019s Club plans to renovate all of its locations in the U.S., which number about 600, per the report.\nBoth the remodeled locations and the new ones will adopt an \u201call-digital\u201d format introduced in October at a Sam\u2019s Club in Grapevine, Texas, according to the report. That format includes no checkout lanes, store displays of items sold only online, and a larger area for fulfilling orders placed online and either picked up at curbside or delivered to the customer\u2019s home.\nSam\u2019s Club also expects to double its membership over the next eight to 10 years, helped in part by the new stores, per the report.\nOther warehouse clubs have also announced growth plans, with Costco planning to open 28 new stores in its current fiscal year and BJ\u2019s Wholesale Club planning to add 25 to 30 new stores over the next two fiscal years, the report said.\nIn a press release issued Wednesday ahead of its investor day, Walmart said that it added 373 stores and clubs over the past two years, while renovating another 1,930, and that the convenience of faster delivery, curbside pickup and in-store shopping are helping drive the company\u2019s growth.\n\u201cHistory tells us that when we lean into these periods of uncertainty, Walmart emerges on the other side with greater share and a stronger business,\u201d John David Rainey, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Walmart, said in the release.\nThe post Sam\u2019s Club Accelerates Store Openings, Anticipates More Business in \u2018Tough Times\u2019 appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-09T14:57:10-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-09T14:57:10-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sams-Club.jpg", "tags": [ "brick and mortar", "discount stores", "economy", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "sam's club", "walmart", "warehouse clubs", "Warehouse Stores", "What's Hot" ] } ] }