Several high-profile brands, including luxury apparel makers Ralph Lauren and Mattel, are expected to hike prices in response to increasing tariffs on imported goods.
The impact of the ongoing trade war is being felt across industries, with many companies revealing plans to raise prices as a result. Walmart, for example, warned that it would struggle to absorb all the pressure due to narrow retail margins, leading some to speculate about potential price increases for consumers.
Mattel, which produces popular toy brands such as Barbie, also announced plans to raise prices for certain products sold in the US market, citing the volatile macro-economic environment and evolving US tariff situation. The company paused its financial guidance for the year due to these factors.
Other companies, including Ralph Lauren and Volvo, are also expected to increase prices to offset tariffs. Luxury brands such as Nike and Adidas have also raised their prices, with Nike planning to increase prices starting June 1.
The move is seen as a response to the economic uncertainty caused by the ongoing trade war, which has been linked to supply chain disruptions, increased input costs, and empty shelves. While inflation data has not yet shown significant increases, consumers are expected to feel the effects of these price hikes in the coming months.
As one expert noted, “it’s too late to avoid higher costs for consumers” due to the recent China trade deal, highlighting the ongoing impact of tariffs on industries such as retail.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/25/trump-tariffs-brands-increase-prices