The Willingham couple, inspired by recent tariff announcements, expedited their plans to replace their aging kitchen appliances. Similar sentiments echoed across the country as other shoppers rushed to stock up on essentials or make significant purchases before anticipated price hikes. While some, like Charlene Willingham, felt an urgency to buy and avoid rising costs, others remained patient, expressing confidence that the economy would stabilize despite short-term tariff-related pain. This contrast highlights the varied responses among consumers to economic uncertainty and upcoming inflation fears.
"We were going to take our time to get new appliances, but now because of these tariffs, I want to get them before any price increases take place," Ms. Willingham, 64, said while shopping at the Abt Electronics store in Glenview, Ill.
"The panic is enough to make me want to buy," Shali Santos, 28, said, after stocking up on essentials in bulk at Costco Wholesale.
"I'm confident it will recover," Gregg Harris, 61, said as he shopped for food at a Walmart in Nashville.
Of the Trump administration's sweeping announcement of tariffs, Ms. Willingham said, 'It sort of set the fire.'
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