With the holidays fast approaching, shoppers may want to start early this year. Professor of Economics Walter Lane says one word defines the season: uncertainty.
“Retailers are trying to plan in an environment where tariffs go up, down, start, pause, and stop,” Lane explained. “That kind of volatility makes it difficult to know how much to buy, and what to stock.”
The biggest impact could show up in two holiday staples; toys and artificial Christmas trees. Lane says while shelves won’t be bare, customers might not see the same variety they’ve come to expect.
“You’ll still find gifts and decorations, but there may not be as many different selections,” Lane said.
Online shopping also won’t escape the squeeze. A moratorium on smaller online purchases will be lifted, meaning even those low-cost buys could soon face higher prices.
“Even digital carts will feel the pressure this year,” Lane said. “The best advice I can give consumers is to shop early. If there’s something you really want, don’t wait, because it may not be there later.”
For families already feeling the pinch in their wallets, Lane says preparation and early planning could be the best way to avoid holiday headaches.
