According to Wells Fargo, consumers should consider stocking up on home goods and other essentials, as these items are projected to experience “noticeable” price hikes by early 2026.

Lauren Murphy, Wells Fargo Retail Finance’s managing director, notes that retailers have generally kept prices steady or introduced only modest increases this holiday season. Many have also offered targeted promotions and substantial discounts on select products.

In the beginning of 2025, numerous retailers “strategically front-loaded inventory purchases” in anticipation of impending tariffs.

Murphy cautioned that these tariffs are expected to elevate the costs of incoming shipments, and retailers are likely to transfer these additional expenses to consumers in 2026.

Between May and September, retailers boosted their inventory levels by 14%, ensuring a well-stocked supply in anticipation of future cost increases.

But in early 2026, the amount of inventory still in transit from overseas suppliers is projected to rise by 62%.

Home goods retailers in particular rely heavily on imports, leaving little room to absorb rising tariff costs, so price hikes hit faster than in categories like apparel.

Home retailers have already begun implementing strategic price increases, which means consumers could expect to see even higher prices in the coming months, Murphy said.

Murphy said apparel may still see increases, but its lower base price softens the impact. Comparatively, even a 10% jump for big-ticket items can price out buyers, she warned.

She urged shoppers eyeing things like major furniture purchases to make them now because it could mean “significant savings before prices increase in early 2026.”