Local shops brace for impact of tariffs amid holiday shopping in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The holiday shopping season is underway, and tariffs may impact pricing and options, including some merchants in the Chicago area.

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Scott Friedland, the owner of Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square, ordered a year in advance to avoid higher tariffs and offer customers pre-tariff pricing.

"We've had to squirrel away stuff everywhere," Friedland said. "Luckily, we have a warehouse that's twice the size of our store so we have a lot of space. I've stored a lot of stuff in my basement, my manager has stored things in her basement."

"Companies that have not been able to do that have had to navigate in different ways you are seeing a little bit less variety from some companies," DePaul University Economics Prof. Brian Thompson said. "In order to reduce their risk, retailers are adjusting their inventories to the downside; the more things you have on hand, the more you risk having it after the holidays."

Merz Apothecary buys items from several countries, and the owner shares they've already gotten notices about price increases for 2026.

"Right now, it's as good as it's going to be for a while so for this holiday season," Merz Apothecary owner Anthony Qaiyum said. "Your probably okay but it's going to get challenging if this continues."

One way to try and avoid higher prices due to tariffs, is to buy local.

Raw Edge is a marketplace for local makers.