Most retailers used to focus on selling, and left processing, manufacturing, and shipping to specialized companies. The pandemic and now tariffs have both been lessons in doing more in-house.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is standing by its forecast for the year, despite everything happening with economic policy. It joins a small group of retailers that are worried, but not too worried.

Department stores were created to serve an income group that’s declining while the poorer and wealthier cohorts expand.

Many retailers rely on robust holiday sales to boost the year’s bottom line. Thanks to COVID-19, good luck with that.