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Top stories summarized by our editors
Top stories summarized by our editors

Target's CEO on navigating crisis in 2020

6/24/2020
SmartBrief Original

How has Target cared for employees, customers and communities during the pandemic and responded forcefully to racial inequality? Target CEO Brian Cornell recently talked about leading the company through crisis.

Will global politics, economics dampen holiday spending?

10/4/2019

Low unemployment and higher wages have consumers feeling confident, but uncertainty over global economics and politics could take a toll on that optimism heading into the holiday shopping season, according to the National Retail Federation's annual holiday forecast. NRF is predicting an increase in holiday sales of between 3.8% and 4.2%, and AlixPartners has released an even more optimistic forecast with similar caveats.

Tariffs are proving costly for US importers

9/11/2019

Tariffs paid by US importers hit a record $6.8 billion in July, with most of that paid on Chinese goods as a result of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, according to Tariffs Hurt the Heartland. The 150-member coalition includes the National Retail Federation and other trade groups worried about the growing US-China trade dispute and its impact on the US economy.

US business coalition pushes for postponement of tariff hikes

8/30/2019

The Americans for Free Trade Coalition, a group of more than 160 business groups including the National Retail Federation, sent a letter this week urging President Donald Trump to delay tariff increases on Chinese imports that are set to roll out this year. "With some products facing tariffs as high as 30 percent, many businesses will have no choice but to pass along those costs to consumers. Price increases will likely hit shoppers just as they are making their holiday purchases," the letter said.

Report: Robust imports expected at US ports

8/12/2019

Foreign goods coming into at US ports are expected to reach near-record levels throughout the year, according to a Port Tracker report published by Hackett Associates and the National Retail Federation. "Even with virtually everything [America] imports from China soon to be subject to tariffs, it isn't quick or easy for retailers to change their supply chains," said the NRF's Jonathan Gold in a statement.

Moody's: Big retailers more protected from tariff increases

8/6/2019

Major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Costco Wholesale and Best Buy are in a better position to deal with the blow of new 10% tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods set to take effect Sept. 1, according to Moody's. Other merchants that don't have the same purchasing power and ability to diversify their supply chains will see more costs rise as a result of the new tariff plan, which the National Retail Federation has called a "flawed strategy."

NRF: Tariffs on more Chinese goods will cost US consumers

8/5/2019

The National Retail Federation and other trade groups have raised concerns about President Donald Trump's announcement last week that he will impose tariffs on an additional $300 billion worth of Chinese imports with the start of the holiday shopping season looming. "The tariffs imposed over the past year haven't worked, and there's no evidence another tax increase on American businesses and consumers will yield new results," NRF's David French said.

Survey: Back-to-school spending expected to rise

7/24/2019

Back-to-school spending is expected to reach close to $26.2 billion this year, with an increased household spending rate, according to a National Retail Federation survey. For college shoppers, 45% say they will buy most of their items online, 39% say they will visit department stores and 36% say they plan to shop at discount stores.

Survey: Back-to-school spending expected to rise

7/23/2019

Back-to-school spending is expected to reach close to $26.2 billion this year, with an increased household spending rate, according to a National Retail Federation survey. For college shoppers, 45% believe they will buy most of their items online, 39% say they will visit department stores and 36% expect to shop at discount stores.