Latest news with #consumerconcerns
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
CNET Daily Tariff Price Tracker: I'm Tracking 11 Key Products for Changes as Policies Shift and Prime Day Arrives
Price hikes resulting from Trump's tariffs could be closer than ever. James Martin/CNET For the last three months, tariffs have been a hot topic, with one major concern for consumers and businesses: Will they raise prices and by how much? It's a question more relevant than ever this week, as President Trump punts another major deadline down the road and with the relief of Amazon's Prime Day sales. Amid those worries, I've been tracking prices every day for 11 key products likely to be hit by tariff-induced price increases, and the answer I've come to so far is this: Not so much, at least not yet. The winding road of tariff inflation still stretches out before us into an uncertain future, so the threat of price hikes continues to cloud the horizon. To date, I've seen two noteworthy price increases, one for the Xbox Series X and the other for a popular budget-friendly 4K TV. Some other products -- including Apple's popular AirPods -- have gone on sale for brief periods. CNET Tariff Tracker Index Above, you can check out a chart with the average price of the 11 products included in this piece over the course of 2025. This will help give you a sense of the overall price changes and fluctuations going on. Further down, you'll be able to check out charts for each individual product being tracked. We'll be updating this article regularly as prices change. It's all in the name of helping you make sense of things, so be sure to check back every so often. For more, check out CNET's guide to whether you should wait to make big purchases or buy them now and get expert tips about how to prepare for a recession. Now Playing: Should You Buy Now or Wait? Our Experts Weigh In on Tariffs 09:42 Methodology We're checking prices daily and will update the article and the relevant charts right away to reflect any changes. The following charts show a single bullet point for each month, with the most recent one labeled "Now" and showing the current price. For the past months, we've gone with what was the most common price for each item in the given month. In most cases, the price stats used in these graphs were pulled from Amazon using the historical price-tracker tool Keepa. For the iPhones, the prices come from Apple's official materials and are based on the 128-gigabyte base model of the latest offering of the iPhone 16. For the Xbox Series X, the prices were sourced from Best Buy using the tool PriceTracker. If any of these products happen to be on sale at a given time, we'll be sure to let you know and explain how those price drops differ from longer-term pricing trends that tariffs can cause. The 11 products we're tracking Mostly what we're tracking in this article are electronic devices and digital items that CNET covers in depth, like iPhones and affordable 4K TVs -- along with a typical bag of coffee, a more humble product that isn't produced in the US to any significant degree. The products featured were chosen for a few reasons: Some of them are popular and/or affordable representatives for major consumer tech categories, like smartphones, TVs and game consoles. Others are meant to represent things that consumers might buy more frequently, like printer ink or coffee beans. Some products were chosen over others because they are likely more susceptible to tariffs. Some of these products have been reviewed by CNET or have been featured in some of our best lists. Below, we'll get into more about each individual product, and stick around till the end for a rundown of some other products worth noting. iPhone 16 The iPhone is the most popular smartphone brand in the US, so this was a clear priority for price tracking. The iPhone has also emerged as a major focal point for conversations about tariffs, given its popularity and its susceptibility to import taxes because of its overseas production, largely in China. Trump has reportedly been fixated on the idea that the iPhone can and should be manufactured in the US, an idea that experts have dismissed as a fantasy. Estimates have also suggested that a US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500. Something to note about this graph: The price listed is the one you'll see if you buy your phone through a major carrier. If you, say, buy direct from Apple or Best Buy without a carrier involved, you'll be charged an extra $30, so in some places, you might see the list price of the standard iPhone 16 listed as $830. Apple's been taking a few steps to protect its prices in the face of these tariffs, flying in bulk shipments of product before they took effect and planning to move production for the US market from China to India. A new Reuters report found that a staggering 97% of iPhones imported from the latter country, March through May, were bound for the US. This latter move drew the anger of Trump again, threatening the company with a 25% tariff if they didn't move production to the US, an idea CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly shot down in the past. This came after Trump gave a tariff exemption to electronic devices including smartphones, so the future of that move seems in doubt now. Apple's flagship device is still the top-selling smartphone globally, as of Q1 of this year, although new research from the firm Counterpoint suggests that tariff uncertainty will cause the brand's growth to stall a bit throughout the rest of 2025. Duracell AA batteries A lot of the tech products in your home might boast a rechargeable energy source but individual batteries are still an everyday essential and I can tell you from experience that as soon as you forget about them, you'll be needing to restock. The Duracell AAs we're tracking are some of the bestselling batteries on Amazon. Samsung DU7200 TV Alongside smartphones, televisions are some of the most popular tech products out there, even if they're an infrequent purchase. This particular product is a popular entry-level 4K TV and was CNET's pick for best overall budget TV for 2025. Unlike a lot of tech products that have key supply lines in China, Samsung is a South Korean company, so it might have some measure of tariff resistance. After spending most of 2025 hovering around $400, this item has now seen some notable upticks on Amazon, most recently sitting around $450. This could potentially be in reaction to Trump's announcement of 25% tariffs against South Korea this week. Xbox Series X Video game software and hardware are a market segment expected to be hit hard by the Trump tariffs. Microsoft's Xbox is the first console brand to see price hikes -- the company cited "market conditions" along with the rising cost of development. Most notably, this included an increase in the price of the flagship Xbox Series X, up from $500 to $600. Numerous Xbox accessories also were affected and the company also said that "certain" games will eventually see a price hike from $70 to $80. Initially, we were tracking the price of the much more popular Nintendo Switch as a representative of the gaming market. Nintendo has not yet hiked the price of its handheld-console hybrid and stressed that the $450 price tag of the upcoming Switch 2 has not yet been inflated because of tariffs. Sony, meanwhile, has so far only increased prices on its PlayStation hardware in markets outside the US. AirPods Pro 2 The latest iteration of Apple's wildly popular true-wireless earbuds are here to represent the headphone market. Much to the chagrin of the audiophiles out there, a quick look at sales charts on Amazon shows you just how much the brand dominates all headphone sales. For most of the year, they've hovered around $199, but ahead of Prime Day sales this week they are currently on sale for $149. HP 962 CMY printer ink This HP printer ink includes cyan, magenta and yellow all in one product and recently saw its price jump from around $72 -- where it stayed for most of 2025 -- to $80, which is around its highest price over the last five years. We will be keeping tabs to see if this is a long-term change or a brief uptick. This product replaced Overture PLA Filament for 3D printers in this piece, but we're still tracking that item. Anker 10,000-mAh, 30-watt power bank Anker's accessories are perennially popular in the tech space and the company has already announced that some of its products will get more expensive as a direct result of tariffs. This specific product has also been featured in some of CNET's lists of the best portable chargers. Bose TV speaker Soundbars have become important purchases, given the often iffy quality of the speakers built into TVs. While not the biggest or the best offering in the space, the Bose TV Speaker is one of the more affordable soundbar options out there, especially hailing from a brand as popular as Bose. You can currently get this model at a healthy discount for Prime Day, down to $200 from $280. Oral-B Pro 1000 electric toothbrush They might be a lot more expensive than their traditional counterparts but electric toothbrushes remain a popular choice for consumers because of how well they get the job done. I know my dentist won't let up on how much I need one. This particular Oral-B offering was CNET's overall choice for the best electric toothbrush for 2025. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Lenovo is notable among the big laptop manufacturers for being a Chinese company making its products especially susceptible to Trump's tariffs. Starbucks Ground Coffee (28-ounce bag) Coffee is included in this tracker because of its ubiquity -- I'm certainly drinking too much of it these days -- and because it's uniquely susceptible to Trump's tariff agenda. Famously, coffee beans can only be grown within a certain distance from Earth's equator, a tropical span largely outside the US and known as the "Coffee Belt." Hawaii is the only part of the US that can produce coffee beans, with data from USAFacts showing that 11.5 million pounds were harvested there in the 2022-23 season -- little more than a drop in the mug, as the US consumed 282 times that amount of coffee during that period. Making matters worse, Hawaiian coffee production has declined in the past few years. All that to say: Americans get almost all of their coffee from overseas, making it one of the most likely products to see price hikes from tariffs. Other products As mentioned, we occasionally swap out products with different ones that undergo notable price shifts. Here are some things no longer featured above, but that we're still keeping an eye on: Nintendo Switch: The baseline handheld-console hybrid has held steady around $299 most places -- including Amazon release of the Switch 2 remains to be seen. This product was replaced above with the Xbox Series X. release of the Switch 2 remains to be seen. This product was replaced above with the Xbox Series X. Overture PLA 3D printer filament: This is a popular choice on Amazon Here are some products we also wanted to single out that haven't been featured with a graph yet: Razer Blade 18 (2025), 5070 Ti edition: The latest revision of Razer's largest gaming laptop saw a $300 price bump recently, with the base model featured an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card now priced at $3,500 ahead of launch, compared to the $3,200 price announced in February. While Razer has stayed mum about the reasoning, it did previously suspend direct sales to the US as Trump's tariff plans were ramping up in April. Asus ROG Ally X: The premium version of Asus's Steam Deck competitor handheld gaming PC recently saw a price hike from $799 to $899, coinciding with the announcement of the company's upcoming Xbox-branded Ally handhelds.
CNET
04-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Tariff Impacts Are Real: These 13 Companies Have Confirmed Price Hikes
Higher prices for a lot of popular products seem inevitable on our current trajectory. James Martin/CNET In many cases and for many products in the US, the biggest impacts of President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff plans haven't hit yet -- but they could soon, unless the 90-day pause on some rates is extended. Still, numerous companies have already hiked prices or said that they'll increase in the near-future -- including, most recently, a popular and CNET-approved brand of smart lights. The fact of the matter is that tariffs -- a tax placed on the importing of certain products into a country -- will ultimately cause prices to go up, with Walmart characterizing these eventual price hikes as "inevitable" during its earnings call last month. Given Trump's push to place historically high tariffs on goods from almost every country in the world, you can also expect these price hikes to hit a huge variety of products. This truth has begun to sink in for a lot of Americans. About 38% of consumers feel pressured to make certain purchases before tariffs cause their price to go up, according to a recent survey conducted by CNET. About 10% of respondents said they'd already made certain purchases in hopes of avoiding future price hikes, while 27% said they'd delayed purchases of products costing more than $500. Overall, these concerns about prices were felt the most around popular tech pieces such as smartphones, laptops and home appliances. To help you keep score, I've put together a list of all the companies that have either confirmed or warned of price hikes due to Trump's tariffs. As other companies make such announcements, you can expect new names to be added here. Continue on for all those details, and for more, find out why it's best if you wait on buying a new iPhone. One item you won't find on this list yet? The original Nintendo Switch, which will see a currently unspecified price hike on Aug. 1, but only in Canada for the time being. If that increase makes its way south of the border, we'll let you know. Best Buy Without getting into specifics, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry told the Wall Street Journal late last month that it has already raised prices on certain products as part of its response to the tariffs. e.l.f. Known as an affordable option in the beauty world, e.l.f. announced in late May that it would be implementing a $1 price hike across its product line in response to the tariffs. CEO Tarang Amin claimed that the reaction from customers was positive, on account of the company's transparency. "We're not trying to pull anything over on anyone," Amin told Fortune. "This is exactly what we're facing, and they understand." Macy's Speaking to CNBC in late May, Macy's CEO Tony Spring said that price hikes will be implemented on some products due to tariffs, while also emphasizing that other tactics -- like discontinuing certain products altogether -- will also be a response to rising costs. Mattel Known for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, Mattel sounded the alarm over likely price increases during an early May earnings call. While it's unclear how much the toymaker's prices have increased since then, the company told investors that it would be, "where necessary, taking pricing action in its US business," or to put it plainly, raising prices for consumers to mitigate the impact of tariffs. Nikon Camera-maker Nikon will introduce price hikes in response to Trump's tariffs, effective June 23. This move will only target lenses and accessories the company makes and sells, so the cameras themselves are safe for now. "We will be carefully monitoring any tariff developments and may adjust pricing as necessary to reflect the evolving market conditions," a statement from Nikon explained. "We wish to thank our customers for their understanding and know that we are taking every possible step to minimize the impact on our community." Philips Hue Parent company Signify announced that prices for its popular and highly regarded Philips Hue brand of smart lights will see price hikes effective July 1. The company also confirmed that this decision was made "as a direct result of tariffs." "Signify reserves the right to modify prices based on new or additional tariffs becoming effective in the future," the company's official statement explained. Ralph Lauren Sales at the luxury goods retailer Ralph Lauren have apparently remained steady amid recent uncertainty, but the company is still forging ahead with a plan to combat tariff impacts by raising prices more than it had already intended to, according to the Wall Street Journal. Shein and Temu Trump's tariffs have made a notable target of China, hitting the country with a 30% rate only after initially hiking it all the way to 145%. Online retailers like Shein and Temu rely on direct shipments from markets like China in order to offer the rock-bottom prices that made them famous, so it's little surprise now that they've had to raise prices. The Trump administration has furthered the issues faced by these companies by doing away with a rule known as the "de minimus" exception, which used to exclude smaller purchases under $800 from import taxes. With that rule gone, Trump's China tariffs will now apply to both bulk orders of industrial building materials and those shoes you've been looking to buy from Shein. Subaru Subaru has hiked prices across almost its entire line. The increase ranged from $750 to $2,055, depending on the model, with only the EV Solterra avoiding any change. As has become a trend with some companies, Subaru avoided attributing the price hikes to Trump's tariffs, citing only the common refrain of "market conditions." Trump has notably disparaged companies that explicitly lay the blame for price hikes on his policies. "The changes were made to offset increased costs while maintaining a solid value proposition for the customer. Subaru pricing is not based on the country of origin of its products," a Subaru spokesperson said in a statement to Car & Driver. Stanley Black & Decker In an earnings report published April 30, toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker addressed "Price Actions in Response to US Tariffs," stating that it had "implemented an initial price increase in April and notified our customers that further price action is required," and was also looking into ways to shift its supply lines to minimize the impact of tariffs. Volvo The price impact of tariffs at Swedish automaker Volvo are confined, for now, to just one model: the electric EX30. Initially it was set to start at $34,950 in the US -- a competitive price for an EV -- but tariffs targeted at imported cars forced the company to raise the price to $46,195, a 32% bump. Walmart The biggest grocery chain in the US, Walmart is perhaps the most prominent company yet to announce imminent price hikes due to Trump's tariffs. During the company's earnings call in May, CEO Doug McMillan said price hikes would begin by the end of May and impact things like food, electronics and toys. For more, see why buying refurbished tech helps you dodge tariffs and helps the planet.
CNET
28-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Tariff Impacts Are Real: I Found 13 Companies With Official Price Hikes
Higher prices for a lot of popular products seem inevitable on our current trajectory. James Martin/CNET In a lot of ways and for a lot of products in the US, the biggest impacts of President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff plans are still a ways off in the near future. Still, numerous companies have already hiked prices or said that they will be increased in the near future -- including, most recently, a popular and CNET-approved brand of smart lights. The fact of the matter is that tariffs -- a tax placed on the importing of certain products into a country -- will ultimately cause prices to go up, with Walmart characterizing these eventual price hikes as "inevitable" during its earnings call last month. Given Trump's push to place historically high tariffs on goods from almost every country in the world, you can also expect these price hikes to hit a huge variety of products. This truth has begun to sink in for a lot of Americans, if a recent survey conducted by CNET is anything to go by. According to the results, about 38% of consumers feel pressured to make certain purchases before tariffs cause them to go up in price. About 10% said that they had already made certain purchases out of the hope that they'll avoid a future price hike, and 27% said they had delayed purchases for products that cost more than $500. Overall, these concerns about prices were felt the most around popular tech pieces like smartphones, laptops and home appliances. To help you keep score, I've put together a list of all the companies that have either confirmed or warned of price hikes due to Trump's tariffs. As other companies make such announcements, you can expect new names to be added here. Continue on for all those details, and for more, find out why it's best if you wait on buying a new iPhone. Best Buy Without getting into specifics, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry told the Wall Street Journal late last month that it has already raised prices on certain products as part of its response to the tariffs. e.l.f. Known as an affordable option in the beauty world, e.l.f. announced in late May that it would be implementing a $1 price hike across its product line in response to the tariffs. CEO Tarang Amin claimed that the reaction from customers was positive, on account of the company's transparency. "We're not trying to pull anything over on anyone," Amin told Fortune. "This is exactly what we're facing, and they understand." Macy's Speaking to CNBC in late May, Macy's CEO Tony Spring said that price hikes will be implemented on some products due to tariffs, while also emphasizing that other tactics -- like discontinuing certain products altogether -- will also be a response to rising costs. Mattel Known for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, Mattel sounded the alarm over likely price increases during an early May earnings call. While it's unclear how much the toymaker's prices have increased since then, the company told investors that it would be, "where necessary, taking pricing action in its US business," or to put it plainly, raising prices for consumers to mitigate the impact of tariffs. Nikon Camera-maker Nikon will introduce price hikes in response to Trump's tariffs, effective June 23. This move will only target lenses and accessories the company makes and sells, so the cameras themselves are safe for now. "We will be carefully monitoring any tariff developments and may adjust pricing as necessary to reflect the evolving market conditions," a statement from Nikon explained. "We wish to thank our customers for their understanding and know that we are taking every possible step to minimize the impact on our community." Philips Hue Parent company Signify announced that prices for its popular and highly regarded Philips Hue brand of smart lights will see price hikes effective July 1. The company also confirmed that this decision was made "as a direct result of tariffs." "Signify reserves the right to modify prices based on new or additional tariffs becoming effective in the future," the company's official statement explained. Ralph Lauren Sales at the luxury goods retailer Ralph Lauren have apparently remained steady amid recent uncertainty, but the company is still forging ahead with a plan to combat tariff impacts by raising prices more than it had already intended to, according to the Wall Street Journal. Shein and Temu Trump's tariffs have made a notable target of China, hitting the country with a 30% rate only after initially hiking it all the way to 145%. Online retailers like Shein and Temu rely on direct shipments from markets like China in order to offer the rock-bottom prices that made them famous, so it's little surprise now that they've had to raise prices. The Trump administration has furthered the issues faced by these companies by doing away with a rule known as the "de minimus" exception, which used to exclude smaller purchases under $800 from import taxes. With that rule gone, Trump's China tariffs will now apply to both bulk orders of industrial building materials and those shoes you've been looking to buy from Shein. Subaru Subaru has hiked prices across almost its entire line. The increase ranged from $750 to $2,055, depending on the model, with only the EV Solterra avoiding any change. As has become a trend with some companies, Subaru avoided attributing the price hikes to Trump's tariffs, citing only the common refrain of "market conditions." Trump has notably disparaged companies that explicitly lay the blame for price hikes on his policies. "The changes were made to offset increased costs while maintaining a solid value proposition for the customer. Subaru pricing is not based on the country of origin of its products," a Subaru spokesperson said in a statement to Car & Driver. Stanley Black & Decker In an earnings report published April 30, toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker addressed "Price Actions in Response to US Tariffs," stating that it had "implemented an initial price increase in April and notified our customers that further price action is required," and was also looking into ways to shift its supply lines to minimize the impact of tariffs. Volvo The price impact of tariffs at Swedish automaker Volvo are confined, for now, to just one model: the electric EX30. Initially it was set to start at $34,950 in the US -- a competitive price for an EV -- but tariffs targeted at imported cars forced the company to raise the price to $46,195, a 32% bump. Walmart The biggest grocery chain in the US, Walmart is perhaps the most prominent company yet to announce imminent price hikes due to Trump's tariffs. During the company's earnings call in May, CEO Doug McMillan said price hikes would begin by the end of May and impact things like food, electronics and toys. For more, see why buying refurbished tech helps you dodge tariffs and helps the planet.
Arabian Business
23-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Middle East customers concerned about inflated grocery prices: Report
Shoppers across the Middle East are scaling back on non-essential spending and reprioritising grocery purchases, as inflation and global trade tensions continue to pressure household budgets, according to Blue Yonder's 2025 Global Consumer Sentiment on Grocery Inflation Survey. The report, which surveyed more than 6,000 consumers globally, including across the Middle East, found that 82 percent of respondents in the region are concerned about inflated grocery prices, prompting visible shifts in consumption patterns across both essential and discretionary categories. Tariffs cited as main cause of rising grocery costs Half of Middle East consumers surveyed believe newly introduced global tariffs are the leading driver of grocery inflation. This perception is consistent with responses from the US (65 percent) and the UK (56 percent), where tariffs also ranked as the top contributor to price increases. Other factors include the rising cost of raw materials (42 percent globally), increased labor costs in manufacturing and food processing (39 percent), and higher profit margins for brands and manufacturers (33 percent). 'In today's global market, tariffs are significantly impacting grocery supply chains, resulting in inventory and logistics challenges, as well as increased costs for both retailers and consumers,' said Wynkoop. 'Leveraging advanced technology for AI- and ML-driven scenario planning and visibility across the end-to-end supply chain can help grocers mitigate tariff-related disruptions by increasing agility, resilience and cost savings.' Discretionary spending takes a hit To manage higher grocery expenses, consumers in the region are cutting back on non-essential spending. According to the survey: 47 percent of Middle Eastern respondents are most likely to reduce spending on clothing and footwear 40 percent said they would scale back on streaming and gaming subscriptions These were also among the top global categories impacted, with more than half (56 percent) of respondents globally willing to reduce spending on apparel, followed by electronics (46 percent), subscriptions (43 percent), and personal care (36 percent). Discount shopping, promotions, and private labels Globally, 65 percent of respondents said they are buying fewer grocery items to cope with inflation. In addition: 42 percent are shopping more frequently at discount or wholesale stores 36 percent are increasingly drawn to promotions and discounts 34 percent are switching to private label products 'During times of economic uncertainty, consumers often look for ways to save money on essential items such as groceries, from shopping at discount stores to seeking out sales and opting for private label brands,' said Wynkoop. 'As a result, retailers tend to prioritise and invest more heavily in their owned brands to accommodate these changing shopping behaviors. Sophisticated retailers are becoming more vertically integrated from production to consumer to maintain greater control over their supply chain, increase profitability and deliver more affordable products to shoppers.' These shifts reflect a wider behavioural trend where consumers are seeking greater value and affordability in day-to-day purchases. In the Middle East, this trend is playing out in similar ways, with retailers observing rising demand for value-driven grocery options and loyalty programs tied to pricing incentives. Retailers under pressure to adapt The report suggests that advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning, can play a critical role in helping retailers manage inflationary pressures by optimising inventory, pricing, and sourcing decisions across the supply chain. 'With most consumers willing to adjust shopping habits in response to grocery inflation and mounting financial pressures, retailers – not just grocers – need to recognize the importance of building trust with shoppers through transparency, targeted promotions and affordability-first strategies,' Wynkoop added. 'Having the right supply chain solutions can help retailers win with consumers during times of both economic prosperity and difficulty.'
Travel Daily News
10-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Consumer concerns impact Summer travel bookings
Travel advisors report shifting consumer behavior due to economic and geopolitical concerns, with rising travel costs prompting budget-conscious booking strategies. ORLANDO, FLA. – Consumer concerns about the economy and geopolitical situation are sparking changes in travel bookings, according to a new survey of advisors affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS and NEST agencies. The networks revealed the survey results at their Travel Market conference, taking place June 4 to 7 at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. Travel Expense Top Client Concern The high cost of travel is the top concern clients are mentioning now, cited by 50 percent of the responding advisors. Related, 41 percent named inflation and rising prices as a client concern. Lack of consumer confidence in the economy was mentioned by 34 percent. Geopolitical anxieties were cited by 29 percent of the respondents, with 26 percent saying clients are worried about safety in certain regions. 'Regardless of their financial situation, we know that consumers are still eager to travel this year,' said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, TRAVELSAVERS Chief Sales Officer and NEST President. 'Given these prevailing headwinds, advisors are a traveler's best friend. A professional advisor can design a memorable, enjoyable trip that accommodates a range of budgets and preferences.' Advisors Shape Lower-Cost Options Uneasy travelers are turning to advisors for expert assistance in lowering the cost of trips, employing a variety of tactics to decrease spending. Selecting less expensive destinations was named by 35 percent of advisors, as was flexibility with travel timing to secure lower fares. Using loyalty points to fund travel was cited by 34 percent. Thirty-two percent of advisors reported that clients are taking fewer trips, and 26 percent said clients are taking shorter vacations. 2025 Sales Predictions Shift As a result of this changing behavior, advisors are adjusting their forecasts for 2025 sales. Forty-six percent predicted sales will rise this year, while 22 percent envisioned them staying at 2024 levels. Thirty-two percent foresee their sales decreasing. Last fall, 79 percent of advisors anticipated higher sales in 2025, compared with 18 percent who predicted sales would stay at 2024 levels. At that time, only four percent envisioned a slight decrease. Summer Bookings Largely Flat With some consumers taking a wait-and-see approach to travel, hoping their personal situation improves, summer sales are generally in line with last year. Thirty-six percent of advisors said their summer travel bookings are up from last year, while 39 percent reported sales are down. One-quarter of the respondents said sales are level compared to summer 2024. The Summer of Staying Close to Home Topping the summer travel list, advisors reported a mix of perennial European hot spots alongside destinations in the Americas. Almost half the advisors named Italy, followed by Alaska. Rounding out the top five were the Dominican Republic, Cancun and Greece. When asked which destinations advisors recommend to ease client concerns, North American locales largely took center stage. Alaska moved into first place, bumping Italy to second. Portugal, Canada and Hawaii also ranked in the top five, followed by Orlando, Cancun and the Dominican Republic. 'Wherever travelers are venturing this summer, advisors will be able to book them a trip with superior value,' commented Mazza-Burney. 'With their close supplier connections, advisors can secure exclusive discounts and promotions as well as complimentary amenities. Those benefits help travelers stretch their budgets even further at this time.' Survey Results 2025 Sales (results from April/May 2025) 34% predict sales will increase somewhat 12% predict sales will increase significantly 22% predict sales will stay the same 26% predict sales will decrease somewhat 6% predict sales will decrease significantly 2025 Sales (results from October/November 2024) 52% predict sales will increase somewhat 27% predict sales will increase significantly 18% predict sales will stay the same 4% predict sales will decrease somewhat Summer Bookings 14% up 10% or more from last summer 22% up between 1% and 9% from last summer 25% the same as last summer 25% down between 1% and 9% from last summer 14% down 10% or more from last summer Client Concerns 50% high cost of travel 41% inflation/rising prices 34% lack of consumer confidence in the economy 29% geopolitical issues 26% safety in certain regions Vacation Budgeting 35% selecting less expensive destinations 35% being flexible with travel timing for lower fares 34% using loyalty points to pay for travel 32% taking fewer trips 26% taking a shorter vacation Top Summer Travel Destinations 46% Italy 41% Alaska 21% Dominican Republic 21% Cancun 19% Greece Top Advisor Recommendations for Summer Travel 36% Alaska 23% Italy 19% Portugal 17% Canada 17% Hawaii Advisors from TRAVELSAVERS and NEST agency affiliates in the U.S. and Canada took the survey from April 22 to May 9, 2025.
