EP 227: The What-Ifs of Potential Tariffs

02/21/25 • 23 min

Retail Unwrapped - from The Robin Report

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Special Guest: Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation

In a year of unprecedented economic uncertainty, the possible implementation of widespread tariffs has far-reaching implications for retail markets and consumer behavior. Beyond the immediate impact on pricing, these trade policies could fundamentally alter supply chain strategies, product availability, and market competition. Join Shelley and Jonathan Gold from NRF as they discuss all-things tariffs and how challenging it is for retailers to plan for sudden, unexpected policy changes. While some retailers advocate bringing manufacturing back to the U.S, the infrastructure, skilled labor, and economic conditions required for domestic production cannot be established quickly enough to counteract imminent, imposed tariffs. From a macro perspective, the current trade environment demands a strategic reassessment of supply chain diversity and risk management to thrive in an increasingly volatile global market.

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We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!

Special Guest: Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation

Previous Episode

EP 226: Beyond the Saks-Neiman Merger: The True Cost of Market Consolidation

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!

Special Guests:

Mickey Alam Khan, CEO of Luxury Roundtable

Pam Danziger, TRR contributor and founder Unity Marketing

The shift in luxury retail's competitive landscape through the Saks-Neiman Marcus merger could have a domino effect on the operational synergies of both companies, unlocking fundamental questions about the sustainability of the luxury department store model. At stake is the state of personalized luxury retail when longstanding customer relationships and local market expertise are at odds with the impersonal efficiencies of large-scale consolidated operations. As the evolving dynamics of signature, singular brand stores and large multi-brand retailers unfold, it is evident that luxury brand houses are increasingly gaining control their own destiny through direct-to-consumer channels. Join Shelley, Mickey Alam Khan, CEO of Luxury Roundtable, and Pam Danziger, TRR contributor and founder Unity Marketing, as they dive into Richard Baker's acquisition track record and question whether Saks Global can gain strides against global luxury brands which have become its largest competitors. Or is the Saks model the demise of luxury department store retail?

Next Episode

EP 228: When Necessities Become Luxuries: The Bird Flu Economy

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!

Special Guest: Phil Lempert, consumer behavior analyst

The bird flu outbreak has transcended egg producers in the farming industry to become a critical economic disruptor and potential public health threat. With consumers spending 53 percent more on eggs in January 2025 compared to the previous year, this potential pandemic illustrates the fragility of our food systems despite technological advances. Join Shelley and Phil Lempert, expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends and the changing retail landscape, as they discuss how the bird flu crisis is creating complex challenges for retailers, restaurateurs, supply chain executives, and public health officials alike.

Retail Unwrapped - from The Robin Report - EP 227: The What-Ifs of Potential Tariffs

Transcript

Transcript by Descript:

I think what retailers are trying to do right now is really get a full understanding of the scope of their supply chain and understand where are the risks and where are the opportunities. And it's not just for those who are kind of the direct importers who have more control over their supply chains, but again, for the small and medium sized guys to look.

You know, at their, their vendors look at their indirect supply chain and fully understand, you know, w