July 23, 2025
The divergent strategies show how major retailers are reshaping prices on popular products as uncertainty about tariffs drags on.
The Wall Street Journal revealing in a recent analysis that while Amazon stated they wouldn’t raise prices due to tariffs, they “quietly” increased prices on nearly 2,500 essential goods in recent months. Meanwhile, competitor Walmart lowered prices on similar products.
Why It Matters: Overall, prices for imported goods have remained relatively stable since the tariff announcements – rising only 2% since March. According to Harvard economist Alberto Cavallo, uncertainty “may be causing retailers to implement price changes more cautiously and incrementally.” Still, the WSJ reports that many retailers are adjusting behind the scenes – negotiating with suppliers or cutting employee perks – to avoid passing costs on to consumers. Amazon disputed the Journal’s findings, telling Consumer Affairs: “This study is seriously flawed, cherry picking a mere 2,500 items out of the hundreds of millions we sell.”
Big Picture: If uncertainty around tariffs continues, consumers could see “lower inventory levels, fewer selections, and higher prices” for the upcoming holiday shopping season (ABC News).
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
