The retail industry is no stranger to external pressures, from fluctuating consumer trends to evolving competition (“wait, that brand is making sundresses now too??”). However, today's retailers face a unique and potent challenge: the unpredictable landscape of global tariffs. And we’re not talking about small ones either. Depending on the day, countries including the US are being hit with tariffs as high as 145%! Unsurprisingly, global brands with both robust ecommerce sales and foreign manufacturing are reeling from the added expenses.

Retail brands are finding themselves forced to increase prices to maintain profitability, directly impacting consumer spending habits and overall confidence. Of course, this has the unfortunate effect of discouraging shoppers both domestic and abroad; shoppers who are already feeling the pinch of higher prices for goods and services across the board.

So how can retail brands compete during this uncertain climate? By leaning into clienteling and loyalty.

For retail brands, the current reality means one thing: investing in strategies to deepen customer relationships and foster loyalty is no longer optional, it's essential. While price hikes may be unavoidable to stay afloat, it doesn’t have to mean losing customers in the process. Brands with a strong foundation of trust and loyalty can weather rising costs because their customers aren’t just buying products, they’re buying into the brand itself.

When customers feel personally connected, understood, and appreciated, they’re far more likely to stick around — not just in spite of higher prices, but because they want to see the brand succeed. That’s where clienteling comes in. By turning customer insights into personalized, one-to-one interactions, clienteling strengthens relationships that go beyond price. It’s no wonder clienteling messages convert at 36X the rate of traditional marketing. In uncertain times, real relationships are a retailer’s most valuable asset.

When customers start to reconsider purchases based on higher prices, retail brands have to increase the value of their products and their service in the eyes of their audience. Value, thankfully, doesn’t entirely move in lock-step with pricing. Rather, true value comes from the emotional relationship the customer has with both the product and the brand.

For example, due to tariffs, the cost of Emily’s favorite makeup product is going up by 50%, which causes her to hesitate at the counter. However, the sales associate knows Emily’s long relationship with their cosmetics brand and how she styles herself. The sales associate shows Emily a few ways to use less makeup to achieve similar results, and even shows her a few less expensive items to try out that go with her aesthetic. Emily ends up leaving the store with not just a few new products that can go a long way, but also a renewed positive relationship with the brand who took the time to understand her needs.

This is the essence of the type of white-glove experience that helps retail brands weather the storm of economic downturns. Even when times are tough, people need to buy things… they just get more selective about what they end up purchasing. But knowing that they get value from each purchase with a known brand, that goes beyond the product itself, is what helps them make up their mind.

But offering excellent clienteling isn’t easy for sales representatives to do off-the-cuff. That’s where the right clienteling tools can help automate the process, in order to provide more customers with the same level of white-glove service.

Endear’s clienteling software stands out in this challenging landscape, offering practical tools and capabilities that empower retail brands to build and maintain strong customer relationships despite tariff-induced price hikes.

In practice, the success of clienteling strategies during tariff-driven uncertainty is already evident. Brands leveraging clienteling strategies have higher customer retention rates, increased repeat purchase frequency, and greater overall customer satisfaction. By using personalized outreach and tailored experiences, retailers effectively shift the customer focus from price alone to the broader value and exceptional experiences the brand offers.

Retailers that embrace clienteling will find themselves uniquely equipped to weather the storm of rising tariffs and price-conscious consumers. By investing in personalized customer connections, brands ensure that even when prices rise, customer loyalty remains steadfast. The result? Retailers who prioritize clienteling will not only navigate the current economic uncertainty but also emerge stronger, with a loyal customer base eager to continue supporting the brands that consistently prioritize their needs and experiences.