Retailers Stockpile to Avoid Empty Shelves

Major retailers, including giants like Target and Walmart, have been flooding their warehouses with inventory in case import disruptions from new tariffs cripple supply lines. This strategy aims to prevent the dreaded sight of empty shelves—an outcome that can erode consumer confidence and pinch company margins. But it’s a tightrope: If consumer demand softens more than expected, firms might be stuck discounting surplus products, risking profitability. Meanwhile, manufacturers and shipping firms watch for a prolonged trade standoff that could further upend delivery schedules and logistics budgets. In a twist, too much stock or none at all can each prove equally damaging.