We Found Hidden Tariff Costs at the ‘Disneyland’ of Grocery Stores | WSJ

Tariff Impact on Grocery Industry - President Trump's global tariffs are straining grocery chains, impacting items like pineapples from Costa Rica, fish from Greece, and cheese from Italy [1][2] - Major grocers, including Walmart, are experiencing increasing costs as they replenish inventory at post-tariff price levels [4] - Grocery costs climbed 27% in August compared to a year ago, marking the fastest pace of grocery inflation in two years [6] - Tariffs are prompting some companies to onshore manufacturing, such as aluminum tins, but this may not help margins [11][12] Consumer Behavior and Pricing Strategies - Grocers are hesitant to raise prices to avoid being perceived as contributing to inflation and want to support customers by maintaining low prices [5] - Over half of consumers are concerned about grocery prices, and 66% reported switching to less expensive products to save money [13] - Customers may switch to less expensive items or buy less of certain products if prices increase too much [13][14] Specific Product Impacts - The US imported 760 metric tons of shrimp in 2024, with India being a top exporter facing a 50% tariff [8] - Due to the 50% tariff on Indian shrimp, the company is switching to Ecuador, potentially increasing shrimp prices by 25% [8] - A 15% tariff on imported fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and bananas from Costa Rica is currently being absorbed by the importer [9][10] - Stew Leonard's anticipates potentially selling 20% less shrimp this year due to rising prices [9]