Sandy Grimm authored an article for Progressive Grocer examining how ongoing tariff uncertainty is reshaping pricing strategies and supply chain decision-making across the grocery industry.

In the article, Sandy explains how recent trade policy developments, including new tariffs and evolving legal authority, are creating operational challenges for retailers that rely on stable supply chains and operate on thin margins. While legal clarity has improved in some areas, he notes that “the legal framework has shifted — but not settled,” leaving businesses to navigate continued uncertainty in cost structures and sourcing strategies.

Sandy highlights the far-reaching impact tariffs have across the grocery sector, extending beyond imported goods to include key inputs such as packaging materials and ingredients. As a result, retailers are forced to make difficult decisions around cost absorption, pricing, and supplier negotiations. He emphasizes that “even modest shifts in cost structures can have meaningful financial consequences” for grocers operating on tight margins.

The article also explores how retailers are adapting by diversifying supply chains, reevaluating sourcing strategies, and leveraging private-label programs to gain greater flexibility. Sandy notes that these shifts reflect a broader trend toward building resilience in an unpredictable trade environment.

He concludes by underscoring the need for grocers to take a more proactive, integrated approach to trade policy, explaining that companies “must treat trade policy as a strategic issue” as they prepare for continued volatility in global supply chains.

To read the full article, click here.