Trump’s Possible Impacts Shopping Habits

Consumers expect to keep a closer eye on their expenditures now that President Trump is back in office and pressing for tariffs on a variety of imports, according to a new study from CX platform and services company InMoment.

The company’s analysis, combining both a consumer survey of more than 1000 U.S. adults with social media analysis of over 45,000 comments from Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), provides a look consumer sentiment across various demographics, including political affiliations, to shed light on potential shifts in the marketplace.

Here are some major findings from the survey related to anticipated shopping behavior after Trump policies, including  expected tariffs, start going into effect:

• 83% of respondents think increases of tariffs on imported goods will impact their future shopping habits.
• 60% of respondents expect to adjust shopping habits post-tariffs, with most planning to reduce spending on electronics and on dining out

    Some select comments:

        “I will be shopping a lot less due to prices going up.”

        “Only shopping for necessities moving forward.”

Expected Price Increases:

• 56% of respondents anticipate rising prices for goods and services with over 50% expecting prices to increase for clothing/footwear, groceries, entertainment, home products, electronics and gas.

    Some sample concerns:

        “Rising prices for food and gas will keep most people at home.”

        “Agricultural costs may spike—tomatoes will be insane.”

Political Divide in Expectations:

• Liberals: Three times more likely to anticipate shopping less for clothing and groceries.
• Conservatives: Eight times more likely to expect clothing prices to decrease.

“Understanding consumer sentiment in times of political change is critical for businesses looking to adapt and align with evolving customer expectations,” said Jim Katzman, Principal, CX Strategy and Enablement at InMoment. “Our study provides invaluable insights for brands aiming to navigate the potential impacts of policy shifts on consumer behavior and pricing strategies, so they can build strategies and communication plans accordingly.”

Click here for more from the study.