Navigating Tariffs in Retail Displays

Full transparency. As CEO of Crux Retail, I’ve lost some sleep over projecting future tariff costs when soundbites, policies and percentages change daily...and sometimes hourly.

 

At Crux Retail, our goal is to provide our clients with bold in-store retail displays, representing their brands, and creating moments of discovery for customers. To achieve this and optimize budgets, we work closely with factories and manufacturing teams around the globe, including China.

 

Even though our quality and standards are unwavering, the question does come up from brand partners regarding international fabrication: 

 

“How much would we save if we made displays outside of China, or if we made displays in a different location?”   

 

That being said, my intention is not to send you down a global trade rabbit-hole before your

next retail display order, but to provide you with behind-the-scenes insight when the news cycle is signaling against leveraging international relationships. 

 

So how do we weigh price versus manufacturing quality and expertise? How do tariffs factor into our sourcing decisions across countries like the United States, China, Vietnam, India, and Mexico? 
 
Let’s break it down. 

 

While much attention has focused on tariffs targeting Chinese goods (especially since 2018), this isn’t an isolated challenge. Trade tensions, policy changes, and labor costs are evolving globally, prompting a broader reassessment of sourcing strategies. ​

​

• China: Still the most mature fabrication ecosystem with unmatched scale and specialization. With tariffs on Chinese imports, (especially aluminum, steel, and electronics) some creative logistics may be needed. That’s why Crux Retail has shipping experts.

​

 • Vietnam: A popular alternative with growing capabilities and lower labor costs. However, capacity constraints and longer lead times can be limiting for complex or high-volume programs. 

 

• India: Emerging as a competitive player in wood and mixed-material displays. Still building technical expertise and infrastructure to match large-scale U.S. retail standards. 

 

• Mexico: Offers proximity, speed, and lower transport costs. While tariff exposure is minimal, fabrication complexity, resources and consistency can vary. 

 

• United States: Shortest lead times and high-quality production, but generally higher labor and material costs. A strong option for quick turns or specialty runs.

 

Expertise vs. Price: The Trade-Off Triangle

When evaluating fabrication partners, three factors we consider: QUALITY, SPEED and PRICE.

 

Tariffs tilt that triangle. A partner with low unit pricing but frequent reworks or delays can end up costing more in the long run. Conversely, a higher-cost domestic partner might save money when factoring in freight, duties, and retail uptime. 

 

What guides our manufacturing choices? 

 

1. Relationship Equity: Trusted relationships often mitigate tariff shocks. Longtime partners may offer alternate production sites or tariff-engineered solutions (e.g., kitting parts in tariff-free zones). 

 

2. Program Complexity: The more complex the display (modular, tech-enabled, high-volume) the higher the benefit from established expertise (often still found in China or Vietnam). 

​

3. Speed to Floor: Tariffs aside, if fixtures are needed in-store in FAST from a high-responsive brand partner, the best option may be domestic or nearshore, even if unit price is higher. 

​

4. Brand Positioning: If your audience values sustainability or local manufacturing, a U.S.-based fabrication may pay off in perceived brand equity. 

​

It’s Not Just Where, It’s *Who* 

At Crux Retail, we’ve helped brands navigate these complexities by leveraging a vetted network of global fabrication partners. It’s not just about avoiding tariffs, it’s about building resilient supply chains and making strategic sourcing decisions that align quality with budgets. 
 

Whether launching a seasonal endcap, a full-store environment, or a permanent feature, we help brands weigh options not just by the numbers but by what matters most for their products: a retail display as bold as their brand. 

 

Let’s talk sourcing strategy. 

​

Are tariffs impacting your retail display planning?

 

Let's connect and explore how smart fabrication partnerships can turn challenges into cost-effective, high-impact solutions.