While IBP is not new, many organizations have not made it an ongoing part of their strategic processes.

The quarterly retail figures — the weakest pace in more than a year — underscore consumer caution around spending in the face of economic and tariff uncertainty.

The latest requests for tariffs on products with steel elements came ahead of an October 21 deadline set by the DOC, the second consultation in three months.

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January kicked off a rollercoaster year for manufacturers, retailers and other U.S. industries dependent on goods from abroad.

Price-sensitive consumers are still prioritizing and saving for spending on family and loved ones during holiday season, retail analysts say.

The holiday season now rewards precision over speed. The brands that plan early, communicate clearly, and set prices honestly will win loyalty long after the presents are opened. 

Beyond hunkering down in firefighting mode, it’s just as important that companies take a longer view of things.

The results were buoyed by the enduring strength of consumer spending online, despite tariffs and an uneven economy, and by a resurgence in cloud computing.

The very notion of a big selling period that’s treated as a once-a-year phenomenon is out of date, says Greg Dyer, chief commercial officer of Randstad USA.

Leader roles were affected at a higher rate than individual workers, a company spokesman said, and no roles in stores or the supply chain were impacted.