- Tariffs disrupt retail stock: 76% of store managers report more empty shelves since April.
- Stock location issues hurt sales: 77% of store managers have lost sales for this reason.
- Staffing cuts slow operations: 51% have reduced their workforce in the last six months, forcing some to skip daily tasks.
ATLANTA, Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tariff turmoil has put retailers in a tough spot: guessing how much inventory to buy while grappling with staff shortages and unhappy customers. GreyOrange, a global leader in hyper-intelligent warehouse orchestration and store inventory software, today released its Eye on Inventory report revealing how tariffs are disrupting store inventory levels and sales floor operations.
The July survey of 500 U.S. middle and senior store managers details how retailers are struggling to keep shelves stocked, customers satisfied, and establishments fully staffed.
Among the key findings:
Retailers report widespread inventory issues and slow spending since tariffs were introduced in April
- 76% of store managers have seen an increase in stockouts or empty shelves.
- Nearly six in ten (59%) say it’s become harder to keep stock replenished.
- 78% have noticed customers shopping early (such as for back-to-school season or the holidays) or in larger quantities to mitigate potential shortages or price hikes.
- Customers seem to be cutting back on spending overall. Retailers are 2.1x more likely to say customers are spending less than to say they’re spending more.
The worst may be yet to come. About half the managers in the survey have been warned by HQ to expect price increases (50%) or shipping delays or reduced inventory (47%) due to tariffs.
Stock issues are causing frustrated customers and lost sales
- One in four retail managers (24%) can’t find stock that their system says is on-hand …