EP 241: Reeling from Tariff Whiplash

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!Special Guests: Sonja Chapman: Associate Professor in the Department of International Trade and Marketing at SUNY Fashion Institute of TechnologyKen O’Brien: CEO and President of Gemini Shippers GroupThe shifting seas of trade policy is creating economic whiplash and ripple effects far beyond immediate cost implications, forcing strategic pivots that impact everything from production timelines to container logistics. While large retailers have invested eight-figure sums to rapidly shift production to alternative markets like Vietnam and Bangladesh, these facilities often struggle to match China's scale and efficiency, producing only about two-thirds of required volume. Join Shelley, Sonja Chapman, Associate Professor in the Department of International Trade and Marketing at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology, and Ken O’Brien, CEO and President of Gemini Shippers Group, as they discuss how the evolving global supply chain landscape demands strategic recalibration by forward-thinking organizations. Retailers and brands must face critical decisions about balancing redundancy with efficiency as traditional supply networks undergo transformation.For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.