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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

How Retailers Are Bracing for a Potentially Grim Year

Facing uncertainty around tariffs and fears of a potential recession, the strongest and weakest fashion companies alike have issued a cautious outlook for 2025. Even so, low consumer confidence does not guarantee a pullback from spending. For the savviest players, there is still room for growth.
People in a mall.
Uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s trade policy has driven trepidation in the economy and renewed fears of an imminent recession, analysts said, but whether it will result in an actual spending pullback remains to be seen. (Shutterstock)

The era of the ever-resilient American consumer may be coming to an end.

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About the author
Cathaleen Chen
Cathaleen Chen

Cathaleen Chen is Retail Editor at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and drives BoF’s coverage of the retail and direct-to-consumer sectors.

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