Christmas Stress Already Hits Struggling Kansas City Retail

We like this note because it offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the lives of local merchants as they attempt to navigate trade war reality.

Here's a bit about the experience of one retailer . . .

To avoid increased prices, for herself and her customers, she had to move some pieces around.

Her strategy was to order as many items as possible before May 1st, when she says prices will be readjusted.

“I've got the merchandise, so I've got to pay for it somehow," she said. "It's a little bit stressful. It makes me a little stressed because we're not having Christmas-like sales."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Planning ahead for Christmas, KC toy store boosts stock to navigate rising tariff costs

The shelves at Brookside Toy and Science are full, and there is a reason for that. They're trying to avoid paying higher prices due to tariffs because 80% of their items are made in China.