This trend extends across the retail landscape, with apparel stores also seeing nearly a 5% increase in foot traffic, and specialty food stores experiencing a remarkable 23% rise, largely due to the importation of many of their products. Concerned about rising prices on footwear and other goods, consumers are stockpiling essentials in anticipation of these tariffs, which are expected to inflate costs further.

“It’s rare to see such coordinated spikes across multiple categories in a single week,” noted James Ewen, VP of Marketing at pass_by. His company’s real-time analytics indicate that consumers are accelerating purchases to secure pre-tariff prices, particularly on imported items.

Retail sales surged by 1.4% in March, with apparel and accessories stores—including footwear retailers—reporting a 0.4% increase in sales. While these figures may not necessarily indicate robust economic strength, they reflect a climate of consumer uncertainty and proactive buying as shoppers prepare for tariff-induced price increases.

As the retail sector braces for the effects of new tariffs, both retailers and consumers are making strategic adjustments to navigate the shifting landscape. Wholesalers with existing inventory are positioned advantageously in the current market, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to buyers and closing deals to capitalize on this moment.