Goal’s CEO Brian Cornell stated on Wednesday that mountaineering costs on clients as a result of President Trump’s tariff agenda can be the retail big’s “very last resort.” 

“The difficulty level has been incredibly high given the rates we’re facing and the uncertainty about how these rates in different categories might evolve,” Cornell stated throughout a name with analysts, in accordance with ABC Information. “We’re focused on supporting American families and how they manage their budgets.”

Cornell’s remarks come as Goal reported a dip in retailer gross sales, pointing to weaker client confidence and tighter spending over Trump’s commerce battle. Goal reported having $23.8 billion in web gross sales throughout the first quarter of 2025, decrease than the $24.5 billion in 2024. 

“Whereas our gross sales fell in need of our expectations, we noticed a number of vivid spots within the quarter, together with wholesome digital development, led by a 36 % enhance in same-day supply by way of Goal Circle 360, and our strongest designer collaboration in additional than a decade, Kate Spade for Goal,” Cornell stated in a press release on Wednesday. 

Goal’s strategy to fight the consequences of tariffs seems to be totally different from Walmart’s, which introduced final week that it might elevate its costs as a result of prices of the president’s commerce battles. Walmart stated the value hikes will come this month, together with in early summer season. 

Trump then slammed Walmart, urgent the retail behemoth to soak up the extra value. 

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected,” the president stated on Saturday. 

“Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING,” Trump added. “I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”

After conducting talks in Switzerland earlier this month, america lowered tariffs on Chinese language items from 145 % to 30 % for 90 days. Likewise, China dropped the tariff fee from 125 % to 10 %. 

Greatest Purchase warned two months in the past that the impacts of tariffs would hit the know-how retailer, which may then move down the extra value to customers. 

“While Best Buy only directly imports 2 percent to 3 percent of our overall assortment, we expect our vendors across our entire assortment will pass along some level of tariff costs to retailers, making price increases for American consumers highly likely,” Greatest Purchase CEO Corie Barry stated throughout an earnings name in early March. “The fiscal ’26 guidance we provided this morning does not include the impact of the recently enacted tariffs.”