In brief: Mailers got some good news this month when the Postal Regulatory Commission limited the USPS to a once-a-year rate increase for Market Dominant products through 2030. The freight market is keeping a close eye on how the U.S. Supreme Court will rule about the legality of some Trump administration tariffs. Producers of uncoated freesheet paper are citing reduced capacity and increased demand as the basis for price increases that are set to take effect in February and March.

Consumers are making tough decisions at the grocery store in the face of sustained high prices. A recent survey of consumers in the United States and United Kingdom by retail and supply chain planning firm Relex Solutions revealed that 61% of shoppers have changed how much food they purchase due to higher grocery prices. More than seven-in-10 (71%) consumers are concerned that tariffs, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and more will continue increasing the cost of everyday goods over the next six months.

April’s data reflects a cautious consumer mindset. Although browsing activity has increased, signaling continued interest in products and services, consumers are carefully evaluating their options. Sessions were up 9.64% year-over-year, indicating heightened consumer interest or browsing activity across retail websites. However, despite the traffic growth, orders were down -0.68%, suggesting that while more consumers are browsing, many are hesitant to follow through with purchases. A significant influence was the ongoing impact of tariffs introduced earlier this year, which led to higher prices on select categories, particularly electronics, home goods, and apparel. Price-sensitive consumers may have deferred purchases or shifted to lower-cost alternatives, contributing to the flat demand growth of just 0.27% year-over-year.