Product Sourcing

With fall officially underway, holiday prep is ramping up for retailers. Between tariff uncertainty, lingering supply chain issues, and a more values-driven consumer mindset, the road to a strong year-end starts now. Retailers that plan early and act intentionally will have the advantage. At Lightspeed, we work with thousands of retailers worldwide, giving us a…

President Donald Trump on Monday delayed high U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from snapping back into place for another 90 days, a White House official told CNBC. Those tariffs were set to resume Tuesday. However, Trump signed an executive order hours beforehand that extends the deadline until mid-November, according to the official. The delay was the…

When the United States threatened a 50 percent duty on every T-shirt and pair of jeans sewn in Lesotho this spring, U.S. buyers cancelled orders overnight, factories in Maseru went dark, and the government declared a two-year state of disaster as up to 40,000 garment workers lost their jobs. The episode is a vivid reminder…

In the past, a reliable supplier delivered a quality product, at a good price, and on time. Today, these are just the basics. With competition for consumer attention more intense than ever, simply having products on the shelf isn’t enough. Shoppers now expect exclusive offers, innovative formats, and better ways to save. Retailers gain a…

The U.S. and China issued a joint statement on Monday announcing an agreement to cut reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, with both sides "recognizing the importance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship." Representatives from both countries convened for talks in Geneva, Switzerland, this weekend in a bid to establish the basis…

Recent changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of new tariffs and the suspension of the de minimis exemption, have significant implications for supply chain and procurement professionals. Understanding these impacts is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape. End of De Minimis Exemption: What it Means for Costs and Compliance The suspension of the…

In an era of compound volatility, uncertainty is the only constant. For retailers, the latest disruption is a wave of tariff actions complicating costs and supply chains, highlighted by evolving discussions on goods from Mexico, Canada, and the European Union. How Best to Respond? Resilient retailers are taking a two-pronged approach: using data-driven decisions to…

The economic climate retailers face today is next level. Rising tariffs, volatile supply chains, and shifting consumer expectations are making it hard to navigate. The rapid increase in costs across retail categories — e.g., cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and sporting goods — is putting pressure on already slim margins, forcing businesses to reevaluate inventory planning and…

President Donald Trump on Monday met with chief executives from three of the nation’s top retailers, who came to the White House to discuss how his sweeping tariff plans could impact their import-heavy business models, reports CNBC. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, Target CEO Brian Cornell, and The Home Depot CEO Ted Decker were in attendance…

Retailers are feeling whiplash after President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he would not be moving forward — at least in the short term — with many of the additional tariffs he had promised would take effect this week. The president took to the social media platform Truth Social to announce a 90-day pause on tariffs…