Andrea Felsted, Columnist

What Will We Get for the Holidays? Empty Shelves

Tariffs won’t just cause price hikes. Expect retail shortages to hit as soon as back-to-school and continue into 2026 — and beyond.

April 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM UTC

By Andrea Felsted

Andrea Felsted is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering consumer goods and the retail industry. Previously, she was a reporter for the Financial Times.

The holidays may seem far away, but retailers are planning for them now.
Photographer: UCG/Universal Images Group Editorial

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Remember late 2021, when Covid-snarled supply chains left Americans scrambling for everything from dolls to decorations?

If the tariff turmoil continues, we could be there again this holiday season — if not before.