Tariff Price Increases and Shopping Behavior Shifts

Prices on everyday goods have been shifting fast this year, and tariffs are often part of the story. We're curious how that's actually changed your shopping — not your opinions on trade policy, just what you've done in the last 3 months. About 5 minutes.

In the last 90 days, have you noticed price increases on things you buy that you believe are tied to tariffs?

• Yes, noticeably
• Yes, slightly
• No, prices seem about the same
• Not sure / haven't paid attention

In which categories have you noticed tariff-related price increases? Select all that apply.

• Groceries & household goods
• Electronics & appliances
• Clothing & footwear
• Furniture & home goods
• Automotive parts or vehicles
• Toys & baby products
• (Replace with a category relevant to your market)

For each category below, which best describes what you actually did in the last 90 days when facing higher prices?

Thinking about the last 90 days, distribute 100 points across these responses to higher prices based on how much each describes what you actually did (more points = more often).

• Switched to a cheaper or store brand
• Switched to a different name brand
• Delayed a purchase I was planning to make
• Stockpiled items before an expected price increase
• Bought less overall / cut back
• Sought out sales, coupons, or promotions

Overall, how much have tariff-related price increases affected your household budget in the last 90 days?

Reconstruct the single most recent purchase where the respondent changed their behavior because of a tariff-driven price increase — what they were buying, what they normally would have done, what they did instead (switched brands, traded down, delayed, or stockpiled), and why. If they say prices haven't affected them at all, probe whether they've simply not noticed or have already adapted their habits in a way that masks the effect.

If these higher prices continue, how likely are you to keep shopping the way you have in the last 90 days (e.g., store brands, delayed purchases)?

• Definitely will continue
• Probably will continue
• Probably will go back to old habits
• Definitely will go back to old habits
• Not sure

Which best describes your stockpiling behavior in the last 90 days?

• Have not stockpiled anything
• Stockpiled once or twice on a specific item
• Regularly buying extra of items I expect to rise in price
• Not sure

What is your age range?

• Under 25
• 25-34
• 35-44
• 45-54
• 55-64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

What is your approximate annual household income?

• Under $30,000
• $30,000-$59,999
• $60,000-$99,999
• $100,000-$149,999
• $150,000 or more
• Prefer not to say

Thanks for walking through your recent shopping decisions with us. Your answers help us understand how tariff-driven prices are actually changing behavior — not just perceptions — across categories.