Volume 3 / Issue 1
INTESOURCE PARTNERS, LLC
5045 W. Baseline Rd. A105-478
Laveen, AZ 85339
602.445.2200
INDUSTRY TRENDS AND INSIGHTS
As tariff pressures intensify, all retailers, including apparel and grocery must adapt swiftly. Below is a look into how tariffs are reshaping procurement across sectors.
​
HOW TARIFFS AFFECT U.S. APPAREL IMPORT PRICES AND RETAIL PRICES - The Sheng Lu study finds that tariff hikes lead to measurable import price increases and delayed pass-through into retail prices (often two months later), though retailers rarely pass the full burden to consumers due to competitive pressure.
VOGUE - WHERE TARIFFS STAND NOW - In the U.S. Fashion Industry Association’s 2025 study (Vogue Business), 100% of respondents listed trade policy and tariff uncertainty as a top concern; over 70% already say higher tariffs have squeezed margins and raised sourcing costs.
WHAT GROCERY RETAILERS SHOULD WATCH - Although fashion is more directly exposed, tariffs are influencing grocery procurement too—especially in imported goods and packaging. Consider the following:
Identify the parts of your supply chain vulnerable to tariff exposure (imports, packaging, capital goods).
Negotiate “tariff adjustment” clauses with CPG / ingredient suppliers.
Use tariff-risk indices (e.g. NUMERATOR’S TARIFF RISK INDEX) to score and monitor your SKU exposure.
​
Model different cost-pass-through scenarios (partial absorption, full pass-through, hybrid.
RECENT SUCCESSES: A SNAPSHOT OF RECENT WINS
PLATFORM ENHANCEMENTS
InteSource has rolled out some customer- and supplier-facing updates designed to make event participation and communication even more seamless. Recent improvements include:•Participant Page reorganization for clearer navigation and faster access to key details.•New decline-reason tracking, giving users better insight into why a potential participant chooses not to join an event.These enhancements are part of a larger initiative leading up to a redesign of the Bid Details Page, which is now fully scoped and entering the early stages of development. InteSource will continue to share milestones, previews, and rollout timelines in upcoming newsletters.
THE CHANGING PROCUREMENT LANDSCAPE
People coupled with automation are the foundation for procurement’s success, but not every is using Intesource so the challenge of getting the expertise need when and where, continues to persist. Our daily interactions with QSR, Grocery, and, Consumer Products procurement professionals continue to bring forward the gaps in team sourcing and procurement expertise as one of the biggest challenges today. When asked to identify which specific skills are in highest demand:
54 percent of those surveyed indicated Ai, data and analytical skills
43 percent said supplier relations
41 percent identified category expertise
41 percent said financial skills
40 percent said negotiation skills
37 percent noted innovation and collaboration skills
As procurement has moved from a tactical function to a strategic business partner, leaders need a variety of skills applicable across the business that will help the procurement organization drive value, improvements, and meet expectations across all critical areas. A role that once relied on technical and practice-specific knowledge now requires a well-rounded set of hard and soft skills, from data analytics and financial knowledge to negotiation skills and the ability -- and willingness -- to collaborate and innovate.