Major U.S. retailers are navigating an uneven, challenging inflation environment, with higher fuel, transportation, and supplier costs continuing to pressure operating costs and margins.

Retailers' responses remain varied in relation to setting consumer prices and in their willingness to pass those expenses on to shoppers.

Several retailers are prioritizing value and affordability, using cost savings and, in some cases, tariff refunds to limit price increases as competition for price-sensitive consumers keeps pricing power in check.

Some retailers expect higher selling prices in select categories, though the magnitude varies significantly.

The companies are balancing absorbing costs, negotiating supplier expenses, and improving operational and supply-chain efficiencies, rather than passing the full increase to consumers.

Fuel and Freight Costs Keep Pressure on Retail Margins

Several major retailers cited higher fuel, freight, or transportation costs as an ongoing pressure.

John David Rainey, CFO of Walmart Inc. (WMT  ), said that the company expects more than $2 billion in incremental fuel-related expenses during the fiscal year, above its original guidance assumptions, assuming fuel prices remain near current levels.

Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST  ) expects domestic freight to remain a margin headwind in the second half.The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX  ) expects higher fuel and freight rates in the second half, with additional pressures from trucking capacity and driver unavailability.David Kennerley, CFO of The Kroger Co. (KR  ), said: "We have assumed that we will get some incremental headwinds from diesel and freight costs through the balance of the year."Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s (WSM  ) second-half guidance also assumes high fuel prices close to the prevailing levels.

Product Inflation Remains Uneven Across Categories

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST  ) reported overall inflation in the low single digits during its fiscal fourth quarter. The company experienced non-food inflation, particularly in consumer electronics due to memory costs, as well as gasoline and petroleum-related products.

Costco mentioned a relatively stable inflation environment with significant uncertainty on the outlook.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY  ) said computing average selling prices rose in the mid-teens during the second quarter, while unit volumes fell by a high-single-digit percentage. Management said similar pricing dynamics could continue through the rest of the year.

Ross Stores expects average unit retail prices to increase by a low-single-digit percentage during the second half of 2026. Jim Conroy, CEO of Ross Stores, said: "You'll likely see some very modest AUR increases sort of at the same sort of levels that we're seeing now, low single-digit."

Kroger highlighted that overall food inflation was modestly higher in the second quarter than in the first quarter.

Retailers Lean on Value, Tariff Refunds and Cost Savings

Retailers including Walmart, Dollar General Corporation (DG  ) and Kroger said they reinvested tariff benefits into customer value. Target Corporation (TGT  ) also continued to emphasize lower prices, while TJX highlighted its value positioning as it managed tariff and freight costs.

Target emphasized that value would remain a central part of the company's strategy as consumers remain selective about discretionary spending. In September, the company slashed prices on nearly 2,000 products, building on its move of more than 10,000 price cuts it has made over the past year.

Walmart is reinvesting tariff refunds into customer value and pricing initiatives, with the financial impact of the refunds and reinvestment expected to be largely contained within fiscal 2027. The company aims for those investments to support customer benefits and share gains beyond the current year.

Dollar General leveraged a substantial portion of tariff refunds to fund targeted promotions and lower everyday prices.

Most Retailers Maintain a Positive Growth Outlook

The majority of the retailers raised their financial outlook, reflecting their expectations for continued growth, with only a few of them maintaining a cautious outlook.

Dollar General, Ross, and The Home Depot, Inc. (HD  ) are continuing to open new locations, while Williams-Sonoma expects store-count growth of 1% to 3% annually beginning in fiscal 2027.