What’s News in Earnings: Retailers Scramble to Respond to Tariffs

WSJ What’s News

The Wall Street Journal

News, Daily News

4 • 4K Ratings

🗓️ 2 June 2025

⏱️ 10 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Bonus Episode for June 2. President Trump’s tariffs plans pose an enormous challenge for U.S. retailers like Macy’s, Target and Best Buy. Some companies are working to move production out of China, others are negotiating with suppliers or even lifting prices for customers as the trade upheaval scrambles profit forecasts. Investors and analysts also want to know: As tariff turmoil ripples across the U.S. economy, are Americans still shopping? WSJ reporter Suzanne Kapner discusses what companies are saying in earnings reports and analyst calls. Hannah Erin Lang hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies’ earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what’s going on under the hood of the American economy. Boycotting Target: A WSJ Podcast Series Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void?
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0:27.2	your credit. Terms and conditions apply. Hey listeners, it's Monday, June 2nd. I'm Hannah Aaron Lang for The Wall Street Journal.
0:38.9	And this is What's News and Earnings, our look at the broad themes that stood out in the latest earning season.
0:44.9	Today, we're taking a look at retailers.
0:47.6	Stores like Macy's, Coles, and Best Buy have been caught in the crosshairs of President Trump's tariff war.
0:54.0	Executives are navigating supply chain disruptions and potential cost increases as a result of tariff policies.
1:00.4	In addition to fielding concerns about American consumers and whether or not a weakening economy
1:05.5	could shrink household budgets and eventually put a dent in sales.
1:09.8	Though the complete impact of tariffs is yet to be determined, the policy is now facing
1:14.2	legal challenges in federal courts, many retail executives are scrambling to respond to the
1:19.1	new landscape of global trade.
1:25.5	To break down what we learned from retailers in the first quarter, we're here with Suzanne Kappner.
1:31.0	Suzanne writes about the retail industry for the Wall Street Journal here in New York.
1:34.5	Suzanne, thanks for joining us today.
1:36.6	Thanks for having me.
1:38.3	So what did we hear from retailers about how they are responding to tariffs and the related challenges this earning
1:46.3	season. What stood out to you? Well, retailers have been working really hard to offset the impact
	...

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