Rachel Wolff

New York

Analyst at EMARKETER

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Articles

Tariffs threaten beauty spending as shoppers balk at higher prices

1 week ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The insight: “Liberation Day” tariffs are striking fear into the hearts of beauty brands and shoppers alike. Both parties are bracing for higher costs and potential supply chain disruptions, while recession concerns are injecting considerable uncertainty into consumers’ spending plans.
Mercado Libre to spend $13.2 billion in 2025 to improve ecommerce infrastructure and boost headcount

1 week ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: Mercado Libre plans to increase its Latin America headcount by 28,000 this year, a 33% jump YoY, to solidify its dominance in key markets such as Brazil and Mexico. The hiring spree is part of a record $13.2 billion investment in the region, executives told Bloomberg. Follow the money: Roughly 90% of the funds and the majority of the new hires will go toward expanding operations in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina—Mercado Libre’s three largest markets.
A raft of lawsuits challenge Trump’s authority to impose tariffs

1 week ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: The state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom are suing President Donald Trump in an attempt to end his sweeping tariffs, which they say are unlawful and inflict “unique harm” on the world’s fifth-largest economy. The background: As the largest importer and second-largest exporter in the US, California is particularly vulnerable to anything that could stem the flow of global trade.
Anti-US sentiment could deliver a $90 billion hit to US GDP this year

1 week ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The insight: Rising anti-US sentiment could cost the economy as much as $90 billion this year, or 0.3% of GDP, according to an analysis from Goldman Sachs, as consumers abroad boycott American products and travel in response to tariffs and other diplomatic provocations. That could put a significant dent in the US services surplus, which stood at $293 billion in 2024 and is highly reliant on spending from foreign visitors.
The latest round of de minimis duties will increase ecommerce prices

2 weeks ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: The Trump administration is ratcheting up tariffs on de minimis imports from China and Hong Kong as part of its rapidly escalating trade war. As it stands: As of this writing, packages from China valued at less than $800 will be subject to duties of 120% beginning on May 2—quadruple the level that was initially announced. Alternatively, they could face fees of $100 per package until June 1, at which point the per package fee will be doubled to $200.
Germany’s economy faces stagnation as tariffs exacerbate existing challenges

2 weeks ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: Tariffs are jeopardizing Germany’s fragile economic recovery. The EU’s largest economy will grow GDP by just 0.1% this year, according to a biannual update from five German research institutes, as protectionist moves from the US threaten the country’s auto industry and exacerbate existing weaknesses. The forecast is a significant downgrade from the 0.8% growth projected in September.
Delta buckles up as tariffs create turbulence for the travel industry

2 weeks ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: Delta Air Lines withdrew its full-year forecast, citing considerable uncertainty that is causing both consumers and businesses to pull back on travel plans. While the airline still expects to be profitable this year, its cautious outlook marks a U-turn from its bullish attitude in January, when it predicted that 2025 would be the best year in Delta's financial history.
China’s fight against Trump tariffs will be a long, hard slog

2 weeks ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: China vowed to “fight to the end” against President Donald Trump’s tariffs, its most forceful response yet in the rapidly escalating trade war, which could drive up the cost of goods while weighing heavily on economic growth. The Ministry of Commerce made the comment in response to Trump’s threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on China imports, which followed the country’s 34% retaliatory tariff on US goods.
Prada’s Versace acquisition looks very different in a post-tariff environment

2 weeks ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The news: Prada is nearing a deal to acquire Versace, per Italian media reports—even as tariffs add further upheaval to an already shaky luxury market. Much has changed: The deal looks very different in the harsh light of the post-tariff environment. Not only are the new duties a serious headwind for luxury brands, but the possibility of a US (or global) recession is set to shift attention back to quiet luxury, just as companies were banking on the opposite.
Tariffs threaten to slam the apparel industry

2 weeks ago | emarketer.com | Rachel Wolff

The situation: The apparel industry will be disproportionately affected by reciprocal US tariffs, which are set to vastly inflate production costs while imperiling brands’ access to the world’s largest apparel market. The problem: Apparel brands are particularly vulnerable to tariffs since the vast majority—97%—of clothing and shoes sold in the US are imported, mainly from China and Vietnam.