It’s early July, but already big box retailers are pushing their school supplies.
Energy and transportation are two areas where costs are rising for stores like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target, but raising prices could turn off an increasingly strapped consumer.
Many survey respondents said they took items because of affordability concerns, while others stole because they were fed up with the machines.
We’ll also hear from Home Depot and Lowe’s soon.
Tariffs are part of the story, of course. But not all of it.
The fluorescent lit aisles of big box stores don’t scream luxury. But for certain items, consumers just don’t care.
Department stores were created to serve an income group that’s declining while the poorer and wealthier cohorts expand.
While supply chain costs have fallen over the last year, some retailers are still facing wage pressure and inventory costs.
They’re trying to stay ahead of what customers, now used to online convenience and speed, expect from a retailer.
While regular supermarkets are struggling in China, aspirational consumers keep Sam’s Club, Costco and its Chinese competitor Freshippo X expanding.
