June sales posted solid year-over-year gains, but July brought a mix of progress and pressure. From Amazon’s record Prime Day to landmark tax changes and renewed department store struggles, retailers are bracing for a changing economic and regulatory landscape—while still finding creative ways to stay competitive.
June retail sales climbed 4.2% year-over-year, showing modest resilience as consumers continued to spend despite economic uncertainty. July’s Prime Day delivered record results for Amazon, though the longer event duration this year makes direct comparisons less impressive.
On the legislative front, the newly passed “Big Beautiful” bill is making waves in the retail sector. A key provision of the tax overhaul eliminates the long-standing de minimis exception starting in 2027—a move that’s expected to significantly increase costs for importers. The apparel and footwear industries, already grappling with steep tariffs, face additional pressure as the new U.S.–Vietnam trade deal limits the ability to mitigate duties by routing goods through Vietnam instead of China.
Department store operators are navigating turbulent waters. Saks is attempting to restore vendor confidence and capitalize on its acquisition of Neiman Marcus with fresh financing. However, skepticism abounds. The retailer reported a 16% sales decline in Q1—better than expected but still discouraging. S&P Global cast further doubt on Saks’ restructuring, projecting continued deterioration. Meanwhile, Kolh’s found itself unexpectedly lumped in with GameStop on the month’s “meme stock” roster, a club few traditional retailers aspire to join. JC Penney reported Q1 sales and profit declines but managed to beat expectations, lending some credibility to its turnaround efforts. The retailer is holding pre-tariff pricing for the critical back-to-school season in an attempt to stay competitive.
In the athletic sector, Nike is leaning back into wholesale partnerships as it works to stabilize its business. Lululemon, meanwhile, has filed suit against Costco, accusing the big-box chain of copying its popular activewear styles.
Other headlines shaping the close of June include the rise of digital price labels, which promise operational efficiency but raise fears of event-based price hikes and potential price gouging. The National Retail Federation has sued New York State in an effort to block enforcement of new dynamic pricing disclosure laws. And for a cultural twist, the New York Times ran a notable feature on vintage-style tastemaker Doug Bihlmaier, whose influence continues to shape heritage fashion trends.