Source: Retail Dive
Date: 7th August 2025

Industry Advances Holiday Orders by Two Months Amid Trade Policy Shifts and Supply Chain Risks.

A new industry survey by a global consulting firm reveals that 78% of retail buyers are leveraging AI-enabled tools to optimise purchasing decisions, with nearly three-quarters specifically applying the technology to manage shifting trade policies.

The survey, conducted among 50 retail buyers, found that more than half of holiday orders were placed by the end of May, approximately two months earlier than the previous year. Concerns over inventory availability (78%) and supplier reliability (76%) remain high due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The report highlights that 20% of buyers have paused certain shipments until the trade environment stabilises, while 18% have cancelled unprofitable orders altogether. Nearly half of the respondents are looking to source from new vendors, while others plan to renegotiate terms or shift towards more domestic suppliers.

Several major retail companies have already taken similar steps, diversifying their sourcing away from traditional markets to mitigate the impacts of tariffs.

The survey also indicates that 76% of buyers expect consumers to limit discretionary purchases to promotional periods. This aligns with earlier findings showing that price-conscious shoppers plan to spend 40%–50% less on non-essential goods this year.

Complementary data from a retail analytics provider suggests that 82% of consumers are prepared to cut back on groceries and essentials to prioritise holiday gifting, underscoring the critical role of promotional strategies in driving seasonal sales.