In an era defined by volatility, few issues are hitting US business leaders harder or more suddenly than tariffs and trade policy changes. Seemingly overnight, they can erode profit margins, shift customer behavior, and throw carefully laid plans into disarray. But what’s most striking in today’s market isn’t just the impact of tariffs. It’s the paralysis they create for your market strategy.
Across industries in the US, we’re hearing the same thing from clients, partners, and peers, “we don’t know what to do next.” This tariff-related business uncertainty has become the real threat, and businesses are holding off on decisions, not out of strategy, but out of fear. And while playing the waiting game may feel like the safest option, inaction is costly.
Tariffs are disrupting commercial strategies and will impact your margins.
If your business is feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. But the answer isn’t to brace for impact, it’s to take strategic action. Now is the time to get proactive, put data to work, and build a strategy that protects your margins without sacrificing long-term growth.
The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, every business has a path forward. It begins with strategic evaluation and commitment to making smart and timely decisions.
Here’s what we’re helping clients do right now:
1. Protect Margins Immediately
Start by understanding your tariff exposure and pricing risks. What is your margin management strategy? Where is your margin pressure coming from, and which costs can be shared or absorbed? Then act:
Execute surgical pricing strategies to hit the right price points, without overreacting or undermining brand value.
Optimize your product assortment to reduce tariff pressure. Keep products that serve a purpose and cut those that don’t.
Implement promotional discipline during trade volatility. Eliminate low-ROI activity and plan with precision and intent.
Strengthen customer retention amid cost pressures. Retain your most valuable customers through targeted offers and meaningful engagement and messaging.
2. Create Value in the Short Term
Tariffs aren’t just a cost problem; they can also be an opportunity to reset:
Optimize your sales channels to better control pricing and distribution. Differentiate direct-to-consumer products, streamline your trade terms, and tailor pricing by channel.
Build agile pricing and execution systems that move fast. Agile teams and tools can execute new strategies quickly.
3. Future-Proof Your Business Model
The toughest question might be the most important: Are you still offering what your future customer actually wants? If not, tariffs might be the transformation catalyst your company needs.
The bottom line, tariffs might be out of your control, but how you respond isn’t.
Tariffs aren’t going away, so waiting to see what happens is risky business. Business leaders that use this time to reset their tariff response strategies will unlock opportunities for growth. Let’s work together to build your tariff action plan. It is time to protect your margins, unlock better growth, and step into the future with confidence.
Our team brings four decades of experience in growth strategy, pricing, and margin management to help businesses like yours act fast and act smart.
Ready to get started and build your tariff mitigation strategy? Reach out to our experts today. Let’s talk about what this means for your business and how Simon-Kucher can help.
For more insights on tariffs in the US, read our 2025 US Consumer Tariff Market Study.