Stores Will Be Stocked This Holiday Season, But Expect Higher Prices

There will be plenty of gifts on store shelves this holiday season, but they might cost more than last year in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to reports.

Despite the recent tariffs and government shutdown, imports are still flowing smoothly at the Port of Long Beach, the Los Angeles Times reported, adding fiscal year 2025 saw the port’s 20-foot equivalent units up 11 percent year-over-year, surpassing 10 million for the first time.

But shoppers are taking on roughly 50-70 percent of tariff costs, Bank of America economist Aditya Bhave estimated, according to CNBC. If the duties were in place last holiday season, shoppers would have spent $40.6 billion more, the outlet reported, citing LendingTree estimates.

“Consumers will likely see price escalation in the coming months as shippers continue to pass along the cost of tariffs on goods, and a higher percentage of these costs will be passed on to the consumer,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero told the Times.

Holiday sales in the U.S. are anticipated to total over $1 trillion for the first time, according to Reuters, citing the National Retail Federation.