The constant changes in tariffs and trade policies have made businesses worldwide nervous. Some big shops in the US have already increased prices or said they will soon.

In recent months, President Donald Trump introduced new import taxes on many of America's trading partners and specific goods. Some countries, especially China, have responded with their own taxes. Although some of the highest taxes have been stopped or lowered, many others still affect businesses.

This is because companies importing goods pay the tariffs, increasing their expenses, which are usually passed on to customers. Trump claimed these tariffs would boost American manufacturing and investment. However, economists have warned that widespread tariffs will raise prices on many products, due to our reliance on global supply chains.

Numerous businesses, along with their customers, are already experiencing this situation. Below are some well-known retailers that have recently announced or expect price increases due to the current trade disputes.

Walmart joined the growing number of companies on Thursday, announcing that it would have to increase prices because of the higher costs resulting from tariffs.

Although Walmart has taken steps to protect itself from some tariff issues by sourcing a large portion of its products in the US, it is still affected. Walmart executives have reported that price increases started in late April and have become more noticeable recently. They predict that the real impact will be felt in June and July, which is a key period for back-to-school shopping.

John David Rainey, the company's CFO, highlighted that the cost of essential goods is rising. For instance, bananas imported from Costa Rica have increased from 50 to 54 cents per pound. He also anticipates that car seats made in China, currently priced at $350 at Walmart, will probably increase by another $100.

"We are naturally inclined to maintain low prices, but there is a limit to what we, or any shop, can handle," Rainey stated to The Associated Press.

Mattel, the company that makes Barbie and Hot Wheels, announced earlier in October that they would also need to increase prices "where needed" to balance out the costs of tariffs.

The toymaker, which produces 40% of its toys in China, announced potential price increases on May 5. This was before the US and China agreed to a 90-day pause in their trade war, but tariffs on Chinese goods remain higher than before recent increases.

In their most recent financial report, Mattel announced plans to shift production of around 500 products from Chinese factories to other countries this year, a rise from 280 last year; for some popular toys, they will use factories in multiple countries.

In early May, Microsoft increased the suggested prices for Xbox consoles and controllers globally. For instance, the Xbox Series S now costs $379.99 in the U.S., an $80 increase from its original $299.99 price in 2020. The more powerful Xbox Series X will now be sold for $599.99, which is $100 more than its previous price of $499.99.

In a May 1st update on Xbox support, Microsoft acknowledged that these changes would be difficult, citing "market conditions and the rising cost of development" as reasons, although they didn't mention tariffs directly.

Microsoft has also announced Xbox price changes for Europe, the UK, and Australia, following adjustments in the US. They stated that other countries will receive local updates too. Furthermore, Microsoft anticipates raising the price of some new, in-house games to $79.99 later this year.

Last month, online retailers Temu and Shein both announced that prices would rise, with similar statements blaming "recent changes to international trade regulations and tariffs."

Around late April, shoppers noticed prices going up on many goods, especially as the May 2 deadline approached for the de minimis rule, which allowed duty-free imports of inexpensive items from China. Online stores had been using this rule for years. The recent agreement between the U.S. and China has reduced some of the pressure, but these goods still have import taxes. Now, cheap packages from China arriving via the U.S. Postal Service are taxed at 54%, a decrease from the previous rate of 120%.

Before this break, Temu seemed to stop shipping from China and started using stock already in the U.S. The company, owned by PDD Holdings, still advertises many items from "local" warehouses with "no import charges" for American buyers. At the same time, Shein, based in Singapore, now tells customers at checkout that "Tariffs are included, so you won't pay extra when your order arrives."

Stanley Black & Decker, the tool manufacturer, announced that it had increased its prices in April and intends to do so again between July and September, citing higher tariffs as the reason.

CEO Donald Allan, Jr. stated last month that they are quickly changing their supply chain and considering all possibilities to lessen the effects of tariffs on customers, while also protecting the company's interests.

Procter & Gamble, a major consumer goods company known for brands like Crest, Tide, and Charmin, has indicated that it will probably need to increase prices for customers. The company stated last month that it was trying to minimise the impact of tariffs by, for example, changing its supply sources. However, P&G suggests that consumers may see price increases from July onwards.