Tariffs Just Changed Everything About Sourcing—Here’s What Designers Need to Know

Are your go-to vendors quietly tanking your margins—and you don’t even know it? Behind the scenes of your interior design business, a silent upheaval is happening. Tariffs are surging, especially on furnishings imported from China, with rates leaping from 40% to over 140%. What used to be a reliable supply chain is now a minefield of unpredictability. If you’re sourcing products the same way you did six months ago, you could be putting your profit (and client trust) at risk without realizing it.

We have design insider Warren Shoulberg breaking down the chaos: where designers are likely to get hit hardest, what U.S. manufacturing can and can’t realistically solve, and which countries might offer temporary relief before the tariff window slams shut again. Whether you're brand new to trade sourcing or already feeling the squeeze, you'll walk away understanding what this global shake-up means for your day-to-day decisions—and how to protect your business from it.

We also get into the long-term shift: why leaning into higher-end clients and luxury positioning isn’t just a branding move—it might be your most strategic safeguard. From sourcing hacks to client communication strategies, this episode is your guide to staying ahead of a market in flux.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why tariffs are wrecking margins
✅ How U.S. sourcing falls short
✅ Why premium clients offer stability

If you’re an interior designer looking to future-proof your sourcing strategy and protect your profit margins, this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and stay ahead of the supply chain madness before it blindsides your business.

 

(0:00) Tariffs hit home: What’s going on and why it matters

(5:19) The chaos in sourcing: Why nothing is predictable

(7:47) Can we benefit from cutting China out of the equation?

(9:03) Is U.S.-based manufacturing a realistic solution?

(14:10) How different tiers of designers are affected

(16:21) Where to look now: Domestic and European alternatives

(21:02) What to do now: Orders, upcharges, and last-minute pivots

(25:00) Why going high-end is the safest long-term move

 

About Warren Shoulberg

Warren Shoulberg is a veteran business journalist covering the home furnishings industry. He writes for The Robin Report, The Business of Home, and his blog WarrensReport.com, sharing insights from decades inside the retail world.

Website: https://warrensreport.com

 

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