In 2024, inflation slowed. Prices dropped. And big box retailers smashed the discount button like their lives depended on it—and maybe it did. As inflation-weary customers increasingly traded down to discounters and private label brands, companies had to stay competitive on everything from cost to in-store experience.

Now a new year is starting, and a new presidential administration is calling for hefty tariffs on imported goods from major trading partners such as China. Some experts believe this policy could reaccelerate inflation, and raise costs for retailers at a time when consumers are demanding lower prices and markdowns.

“2025 presents a lot of economic uncertainty based on stated policy positions which may or may not take place in the US,” Matt Pavich, pricing expert at Revionics and former manager of merchandising process and systems development at Target, told Retail Brew. “The largest one looming over retail is tariff increases which, by definition, equal a cost increase on not only imported goods, but products manufactured or grown domestically with imported components.”

Keep reading here.—AV

If you can’t beat ’em, teach ’em. That seems to be Vestiaire Collective’s new motto.

The secondhand luxury retailer, which a year ago banned the sale of items from brands it classifies as fast fashion, including Shein and H&M, on its platform, is now bringing its anti-fast-fashion ethos to its influencer marketing strategy.

Beginning in November, Vestiaire Collective kicked off a six-month program with five influencers across the US, France, Italy, the UK, and Germany to educate them about the harms of fast fashion and encourage them to share their learnings with audiences online, Dounia Wone, the brand’s chief impact officer, told us.

Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.—KH

On Wednesdays, we wear pink spotlight Retail Brew’s readers. Want to be featured in an upcoming edition? Click here to introduce yourself.

Amanda Zuckerman is co-founder and president at home decor brand Dormify.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I am the founder and leader of Dormify, where we help college students and young audiences make their living spaces feel like home. I started Dormify because I couldn’t find stylish dorm essentials when I was in college, and now our company creates and curates an e-commerce experience covering everything from bedding to decor that’s specifically designed for students. My job is all about understanding what students want and creating products that let them express their unique styles, plus leading marketing strategies and creative content that connect directly with students to make sure our marketing feels genuine and relatable.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? I spend a lot of time on TikTok! Most people try to minimize their time at work on social media in order to be “productive,” but the more time I can spend connecting with our Gen Z audience there and understanding their evolving preferences and trends of the moment, the better we can tailor our offerings to meet their needs. It’s all about staying in tune with what they want!

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? My favorite project I’ve worked on was opening pop-up shops in our key markets a couple years ago. With a scrappy budget and little experience, we opened retail stores in a showroom model (orders shipped home) in some of the most prominent shopping centers and malls in America.

Keep reading here.—EC