Retailers are bracing for a tariff-fueled crunch that could hit shelves just as the year’s biggest shopping days, from Amazon Prime Day and July 4 sales to Thanksgiving and Black Friday, kick into gear.
With Chinese manufacturing slowing and tariffs still in place, small business owners and suppliers to major retailers warn that time is running out to avoid widespread product shortages and price hikes. Holiday shipments are already down over 50%, according to supply chain data, raising alarms across the industry.
“We’re staring down empty shelves if this doesn’t get resolved in the next 30 days,” said Lauren Greenwood, co-founder of YouCopia, a top home storage brand. Her factory near Nanjing, China, temporarily shut down in April, stalling shipments of key products like the StoraLid organizer.
President Trump acknowledged the fallout this week, warning that fewer toys may be available for the holidays. But the impact is expected to ripple far beyond dolls, potentially affecting everything from home goods to electronics.
China has signaled openness to trade talks, but retailers say decisions must be made now for goods to arrive in time. Without a quick deal, experts say shoppers should expect thinner inventory, fewer deals, and higher prices when the sales begin.
