As the situation with trade tariff policy continues to evolve, ICBA is closely following updates from around the retail industry, including associations, business media, and our ICBA Community. You can find curated updates below. 

We encourage you to explore the links and to bookmark this page—ICBA will be monitoring for resources and actively updating the page with content to help strategize around and create deeper understanding of the dynamic tariffs landscape. We'll be adding various resources including ICBA-developed guidance and FAQs, as well as Vendor Updates.

Questions, comments, or additional resources to suggest? As always, feel free to reach out to us at Office@ICBAinc.com. 

NEW SPECIAL RESOURCE!
College Vendor Tariff Tracker showing: Vendor, Country, Announced Reciprocal Tariff Rate, Current Status of Reciprocal Tariff, and Current Tariff. Reference this resource or use it to create your own. Courtesy of UC Davis Stores. The link to this Member-exclusive resource is visible below when you are logged in. 

NEWS

"Cold play: Toy industry faces ‘devastating’ impact from tariffs" - (May 5, 2025) Article from Retail Dive on US-based toy companies; effects on US production and also unavoidable need for certain imports.

"Tariff Uncertainty will Damage the US Retail Sector"- (April 29, 2025) Macro analysis and retail category analysis, including some charts & stats, from the consultants/analysts at Oxford Analytics (a Dow Jones co.).

Ongoing News Coverage: Associated Press Tariffs Hub - Constantly updated coverage on tariffs news; more general headlines.

Ongoing News Coverage: Reuters News Query "Tariffs" - Constantly updated coverage on tariffs news; more finance/market headlines.

Ongoing News Coverage: Nikkei ASIA Tariffs Section - Constantly updated coverage on tariffs news; more finance headlines emanating from or about Japan, China, Southeast Asia and India.

ASSOCIATION/RETAIL ORGANIZATION RESOURCES

National Retail Federation - A timeline of tariff policy activity, brief situational overview, & NRF's position on tariffs.

Management One Blog - Tariffs are a recurring topic on this blog. Management One is a leading consultancy for independent retailers and a longtime ICBA Annual Vendor Partner; their webinars/recordings are also available to all.

US Chamber of Commerce - Frequently updated tariffs content, including the article "Small Business FAQ-What You Need to Know about Tariffs."

CANADA—Retail Council of Canada - Tariffs- and trade-focused content page of the Canadian RCC, including updates, guidance, and events.

STRATEGY ARTICLES & POSTS

NEW >>  3 Retailers, 3 distinct tariff strategies: What these plans say about their businesses - (August 27, 2025) - Tariff mitigation strategies are apparent in analysis of U.S. container data, from diversifying supply chain to mixing up product assortment; here's what three national chains are doing.

Tariff engineering’ is making a comeback as businesses employ creative ways to skirt higher duties (June 18, 2025) - This legal practice involves changing an item’s materials, altering its dimensions or compositions; illustrative examples given include Columbia, Converse, and Snuggies.

Management One CEO Nate Sheth on the Rooted in Retail Podcast (May 25, 2025) for "Retail Tariffs Inventory Strategy and Cash Flow Tips"

Businesses are finding a workaround for tariffs — and it’s entirely legal - (May 26, 2025) - Details on the “first sale rule” and how this concept in U.S. customs law allows importers to use the lowest cost of a good to calculate duties, and what happens downstream.

CMOs Need a Tariff Playbook--Even if Prices Don't Spike - (May 19, 2025) Q&A insight from consultancy Gartner on consumers' economic anxiety, how brands need to be a source of stability for consumers, and this advice: make price stability a cornerstone of your message—if you can deliver it.

PODCAST - The Tariff Storm: Navigating the Harsh Inequity of Global Trade on Retail Unwrapped - (May 16, 2025) On this weekly retail podcast, the discussion features a PwC Customs and International Trade expert looking at different retail sectors and their states of readiness: supercenters, discount retailers, & small businesses; also how some organizations have high adoptability while others have no tested playbook, with a key strategic thought being “creating agility.”

White Paper: Impact Analytics' Strategic Tariff Management Playbook for Apparel Retailers - (April 25, 2025) Comprehensive 22-page document that includes short- and long-term strategies, questions to ask yourself about your business, & a sample tariff calculator.

VENDOR UPDATES

(May 19, 2025)

Storm Duds Raingear – In the spirit of partnership, Storm Duds Raingear absorbed any tariff costs incurred until 5/1/25 but now must adjust pricing. To continue proving their commitment to ICBA Members, Storm Duds has updated & extended the Rain Maker Pre-book Program, with discounts & low minimums, on all qualifying orders through 7/1/25. Stock Balancing Close-out styles are included so buyers can get first quality stock at reduced costs while supplies last. ICBA buyers can feel confident booking out orders for Graduation & Fall using the Rain Maker Special Pre-Book pricing & reduced minimums until 7/1.  Find details & read more on the Storm Duds Raingear page by clicking HERE when logged into the Member Dashboard; select the “Programs” tab and click “Rain Maker BLUE Pre-Book…” and/or the “partnership letter to valued customers regarding tariffs” documents. Contact Gary Libman, garyl@stormduds.com with inquiries.

Vantage Apparel - Vantage Apparel is implementing a price increase beginning June 1^st. Any current or new orders submitted prior to 6/1/25 will honor current pricing regardless of when it is scheduled to ship. For more, contact Eric Eder, EricE@VantageApparel.com.

Roaring Spring Paper Products – Roaring Spring Paper Products will adjust prices on select import-sourced items, effective June 1, 2025. This change is in response to industry-wide cost increases resulting from new tariffs introduced in April. Only imported items impacted by these tariffs will see price increases. We have absorbed a portion of the additional cost and will be passing along a portion of the increase to our customers. Pricing adjustments will vary by item. Find details on these changes on the Roaring Spring page HERE when logged into the Member Dashboard; select the “Programs” tab and click the “College Buying Group Price List Eff. June 1” and/or “Price Increase Letter Eff. June 1 documents. Contact Beth Vaughn for more,
bvaughn@roaringspring.com.

BarCharts has kept pricing low to benefit students since 2016 even though costs have been increasing over the years. Therefore, to address cost increases and to ensure students still have the critical resources needed to support their education journey, BarCharts has increased prices on select items effective May 1, 2025. When logged in to the Member Dashboard, find details on the price increases HERE; select the “Programs” tab & click on the following documents: BarCharts Price Increase Notice 5-1-25; BarCharts Order Form May 2025; BarCharts Return Form. Contact Helene Webb, helene.webb@barcharts.com with any inquiries.

All Star Dogs - All Star Dogs will implement wholesale pricing updates across our line effective July 1, 2025. This will be our first pricing adjustment in four calendar years. All orders in-house currently with post-dated shipments thru 12/31/25 will not be affected. All orders received prior to July 1 (regardless of 2025 ship date) will be at current unit costs. Place your replenishment orders now to lock in your 2025 pricing. For other details about All Star Dogs and their program, click HERE when logged into the Member Dashboard and select the “Programs” tab. Contact Elan at elan@allstardogs.com for more.

Mobile Edge – Mobile Edge is offering pre-tariff pricing and free setup on a custom logo patch OR a free item of your choice on orders over 50 units through June 1^st, 2025. With a wide variety of custom logo & decorating options available, Mobile Edge is your go to source for backpacks, messenger bags, & tech carrying accessories. Learn more about Mobile Edge’s offer & their program HERE when logged into the Member Dashboard; select the “Programs” tab and click on the “…Eco-Cases-May-2025” document, or Contact Paul June, pj@mobileedge.com.

ZooZatz - ZooZatz has provided an updated catalog that supports their domestic printing options. They will be accepting​ Spring pre-book orders for Spring 2026 starting June 1st, 2025 which will begin delivery in February 2026.  Find this catalog on the ZooZatz page by clicking HERE when logged into the Member Dashboard; select the “Programs” tab and click on the 2025 Catalogs. Contact Allie Aanestad at allie@rosssportswear.com to learn more.