The first few months of 2025 have been interesting, to say the least, for the American retail sector. Economic uncertainty was already rising for a whole host of reasons, and then came tariffs on imports from basically every non-U.S. country and territory.
With a minimum duty of 145%, imports from China have been especially hard-hit.
Will it last? No one knows. For now, investors like Steve Streit, whose venture capital firm backs a number of retail startups, recommend leaders in the space to take a strategic, risk-aware approach.
“Now, more than ever, retail businesses need to think strategically about sourcing and sales,” he says.
Here’s where Streit advises retail leaders to begin.