EP 306: An Economist's Warning on Shifts Impacting Holiday 2026

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!Retailers keep bracing for the same inflation story to replay, but tariffs, the war on Iran, and an AI-driven integration boom are rewriting pressure points. Tariff uncertainty and the AI data center boom that is consuming construction materials and microchips are quietly driving up prices on everything from cell phones to electronics. Retailers are expected to hold the line on holiday pricing, but a cold winter could spike heating oil and diesel, forcing prices up.  Join Shelley and Dan Altman, author of the High Yield Economics newsletter, as they unpack why the K-shaped economy is persisting, and why diversified supply chains and revenue streams are a survival strategy for retail leaders. Listen and learn why new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's tough talk on inflation hasn't translated into action, leaving markets guessing about the central bank's real direction and retailers guessing their way into the most important quarter of the year. Guest: Dan Altman, author of the High Yield Economics newsletterFor more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.