WHAT’S THE PLAN?: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE APPAREL INDUSTRY

As we near showtime for Fall ’25, I find myself in a state of indecision. I have a women’s store as well as a men’s, so of course, I attend shows for each, and now face the same scenario for both. It’s fair to say that American-made offerings represent a VERY small percentage of the total industry. Forty some years ago, brilliant minds decided that eliminating virtually all capacity to manufacture clothing here in the USA was their smartest option.  

Now in 2025, our new administration is acutely focused on imposing tariffs on imports from three apparel-making countries, two of which matter a great deal to U.S. retailers. As I type this, there is no clarity whatsoever about this plan. Tariffs specified were 60% on Chinese imports, 25% on Canadian imports. Supposedly, said tariffs would be applied immediately. Even if they were to commence with the Fall season, those tariffs would change our industry with one fell swoop. 

This creates varying degrees of concern, depending on the floating nature of the threat. Nobody wants to worry too much about that which is so unclear, but I find it impossible to compartmentalize and proceed as usual without communication, and I’m surprised that so few vendors have expressed concern, or offered any “what if” scenarios. 

My stores cannot accept deliveries with 25% and 60% tariffs; there would be no justifying the resultant price-value proposition, and customers will absolutely forego buying apparel with the inflated prices that would result. Of course, if we don’t accept deliveries, our sales for the season and the year will be severely decimated, creating a whole different kind of crisis. Vendors and retailers alike could face existential scenarios. With that possibility, why are so few industry execs talking about this?  

From activity at the show that begins in just a few days, vendors will be chasing down orders so they can commit for production time. Yet the only way I can place any orders is with the assurance that I can decline delivery if tariffs are added on. Of course, vendors can’t work like that, so where does that leave us? The stock market doesn’t like uncertainty, nor does our industry. 

Granted, my reaction might be overblown, and the administration’s threats all bluster. It’s entirely possible that I’m worried about nothing. But given what I know (and don’t know), I’d never bet on that “damn the torpedoes” hope or maintain illusions of government normalcy. I see a 50/50 likelihood of volatility and trouble. I’m not panicking; I’m simply asking pointed questions. 

At least one thing is certain: There’s a LOT at stake here. 

Peter Rose is an independent specialty store retailer with two apparel stores in Wyandotte Michigan. He is an outspoken industry commentator and contributor to MR magazine. He can be reached at peterfisherrose@gmail.com.