Walmart held on to its seasonal goods, he said. Target, he said, got caught up in the moment. And while he said it wasn’t the company’s fault at that time, it decided to slash prices. In the process, Target changed its customers’ behavior.

Between the pandemic upending shopping habits five years ago and the economy causing consumers to tighten their purse strings in 2025, it’s been a tumultuous half decade for retailers.

As tariffs begin to impact in-store prices, consumers should consider comparing retailer prices in order to find the best options for your budget.