BJ’s Wholesale (BJ) , which has over 7.5 million members, is contemplating a major change in its stores amid a concerning shift in customer behavior.

In BJ’s first-quarter earnings report for 2025, it revealed that its comparable club sales only increased by 1.6% year-over-year, which is about half of what analysts were expecting.

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The lower-than-expected sales come after BJ’s raised its membership fees earlier this year. Its basic tier increased by $5, making the plan $60 a year. For its most expensive tier, a Club+ membership, the annual fee increased from $110 to $120.

Related: Costco quietly limits customer purchases of a beloved product

Amid weak sales, BJ’s collected $120.4 million in membership fee income during the quarter, which is 8.1% higher than what it generated during the same time period last year.

Image source: Monika Graff/Getty Images

BJ’s customers are starting to switch gears

BJ’s foot traffic also lagged behind its main competitors during the quarter. According to recent data from Placer.ai, the number of customers visiting BJ’s stores increased by 1.2% year-over-year, while Costco’s visits per location spiked by 3.6%, and Sam’s Club’s rose by 2.7%.

During an earnings call on May 22, BJ’s CEO Bob Eddy said that members are becoming more picky with their purchases amid concerns about the economy.

“Consumers across the country have digested meaningful inflation over the past few years, and the uncertain economic environment drove members to prioritize value in their purchases during the quarter,” said Eddy.

Related: Home Depot struggles to reverse concerning customer behavior

He said that while categories such as perishable food items and electronics saw increased sales, consumers are spending less on big-ticket items.

“Unfavorable weather and pressures on consumer sentiment impacted big-ticket, highly discretionary categories such as patio sets, gazebos, and outdoor sheds in the quarter,” said Eddy.

BJ’s CEO issues stern warning to customers

He also addressed a major concern that is on the minds of many shoppers: tariffs, which are taxes companies pay to import goods from overseas.

Last month, President Donald Trump imposed a 10% baseline tariff on all countries and paused reciprocal tariffs.

The pause on reciprocal tariffs will end in July, and as a result, roughly 60 countries will soon see increased tariff rates. If businesses choose to pass down this extra cost, consumers could pay higher prices for goods.

During the earnings call, Eddy said that BJ’s will be “less impacted” by tariffs than many of its competitors, as it already knows how to navigate the challenging environment; however, he warned that the wholesale club may soon have to raise its prices.

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“I’m so proud of our teams across merchandising, supply chain, finance, and analytics who have remained agile in navigating these challenges,” said Eddy. “This includes sourcing from alternative countries of origin, reassessing orders, and collaborating with our vendors, all to drive the best outcomes for our members. We’re always leaning into our model to deliver value, and while upward pressure on cost may drive prices higher, we are doing everything possible to minimize the impact to our members.”

He also said that BJ’s may have to change items in its stores and even remove products that “might not make any sense” for its members.

The move from BJ’s comes as many consumers consider drastically changing their shopping habits to prepare for Trump’s tariffs.

According to a recent Market Pulse survey from InMoment, roughly 56% of consumers said they expect prices for goods and services to increase due to tariffs. In response to these expected price hikes, 60% of respondents said they are planning to shop less rather than more.

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Despite the headwinds, Amazon’s quarterly reports still read like a masterclass in scale meeting discipline. 

The e-commerce behemoth’s growth engine continued humming, even with retailers elsewhere buckling under tariff pressures and consumer fatigue. 

In the second quarter, Amazon reported sales of $167.7 billion, up 12% year-over-year, while operating income increased to 31%. Strength in core retail, third-party sellers, Amazon Web Services, and ads has effectively offset headwinds from higher import costs along with a jittery macro backdrop.

However, beneath the top-line resilience, there’s a quiet shift taking shape in how Americans shop. Inflation is moderating, yet caution hasn’t gone away, as tariffs test price elasticity and customers still edit their carts before checkout. 

That’s exactly why Amazon’s latest consumer readout lands as more than just a company update. It’s essentially a mirror for the entire retail space, offering a firsthand look at how price-sensitive, promotion-weary shoppers are behaving ahead of the holiday season.

Shoppers tap brakes on Amazon deals as inflation bites

Amazon’s latest Prime Big Deal Days didn’t quite land with the vigor the company would’ve hoped for, which is worrying for the rest of retail. 

According to Numerator, shoppers used the two-day event primarily to stock up on basics such as apparel, home goods, and household essentials instead of splurging on big-ticket items. 

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Moreover, average order values tanked 15% from July’s Prime Day, and roughly 50% of all orders were under $20, with clear signs that consumers are still feeling squeezed from inflation and tariff-related pressures.

Despite 90% awareness, just 61% of July Prime Day shoppers returned in October, as satisfaction scores decreased to 58% from 66%. Analysts feel that the sharp pullback has less to do with Prime fatigue and more with economic fatigue. 

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Tariff worries (cited by 48% of buyers) and circumspect sentiment have effectively pushed many toward price comparisons with other retail giants such as Walmart and Target, clipping away at Amazon’s promotional edge.

Just 23% of shoppers used the event to get a head start on holiday spending, a marked decline from 45% last year.This spells trouble for Q4, as retailers brace for a choppy holiday season.

Quick takeaways:

• Prime Day loses its punch: Shoppers are focusing on essentials, with average orders dropping 15% and roughly 50% under $20.
• Tariffs take a toll: Almost half (48%) of buyers pointed to tariff worries, pushing many to compare prices with stalwarts like Walmart and Target.
• Holiday caution ahead: Only 23% shopped early for holidays, pointing to a relatively slower and cautious Q4 for retail.

How Amazon’s efficiency playbook is blunting tariff pain

Tariffs became a fresh headwind for Amazon this year.

Early in the year, Washington pointed to higher import duties, especially on China, which sent shockwaves through the retail sphere. Amazon was quick to flag a “tougher business climate,” warning that trade friction could potentially impede consumer spending while feeding into margins.

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For more color, its June-quarter guidance of $13 billion to $17.5 billion in operating profit came in below Wall Street estimates, linked to tariff uncertainty. CEO Andy Jassy admitted the outlook was murky: “None of us knows exactly where tariffs will settle or when.” 

Nevertheless, it’s imperative to consider that Amazon’s potent retail engine held up, led by resilient demand and its reputation for low prices.

However, the exposure runs deep.

Nearly 25% of Amazon’s first-party inventory is sourced from China, which is over 50% higher than the U.S. retail average. That essentially makes tariff swings a real margin threat. Hence, for now, cost discipline, supplier diversification, and efficiency gains are critical in curbing the effects of tariffs on Amazon’s business.

Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley are still upbeat on Amazon, despite tariff uncertainty. 

For instance, Goldman’s Eric Sheridan estimates that steep tariffs could potentially shave $5 to $10 billion off operating profit if fully absorbed, but acknowledged Amazon’s ability to offset cost spikes. 

Similarly, JPMorgan’s Doug Anmuth said Amazon saw “no significant demand reduction” from tariffs in the first half of 2025. Additionally, Morgan Stanley’s Brian Nowak raised his price target for Amazon stock to $300, following the reduction of U.S.-China tariffs from 145% to roughly 55%, alleviating cost concerns.

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If you spent the week doomscrolling #RaptureTok and wondering whether to leave your houseplants a goodbye note, good news: the end times did not arrive on Tuesday. What did show up, however, were a bunch of very earthly headlines.

One very famous network host is back (though not on every station—because why make anything simple in 2025?). Housing kept playing hot-and-cold depending on your ZIP code, retail nostalgia made a crafty comeback, and beverage brands learned that promising better guts requires better evidence.

Michaels brings back Joann with new shop-in-shop rollout

Months after acquiring Joann’s intellectual property, Michaels is reviving the beloved crafts brand via two in-store experiences. “The Knit & Sew Shop” is rolling out across U.S. and Canadian locations, bringing back favorites like Big Twist yarn plus fabric-cutting tables and new sewing machines. A second concept, “The Party Shop,” expands into party goods—balloon bars included—as Michaels positions itself as a one-stop destination for creativity and celebrations. Not everyone’s cheering; some Joann loyalists see it as Michaels trying to become Joann (and maybe Party City) in all but name.

TikTok goes apocalyptic with #RaptureTok

Just in case your week wasn’t already stressful, TikTok briefly convinced millions that the Rapture was scheduled for Tuesday. The viral “RaptureTok” trend started after a South African pastor predicted Jesus’s return for September 23 or 24. Some former Evangelicals chimed in with stories of lingering “Rapture trauma,” while creators like @sonj779 leaned into parody with “Rapture Trip Tips.” In the end, doomsday didn’t arrive—but the algorithm still delivered plenty of end-times content

Zillow maps the hottest and coldest housing markets

Zillow’s Market Heat Index pegs the national market at a neutral 52, but the map is anything but uniform. Sellers hold the upper hand in several Northeast and Midwest metros (think Rochester, Buffalo, Hartford), while buyers have leverage in parts of the Gulf and Southwest Florida, plus pockets of Texas and the Midwest. Inventory build-ups and days-on-market trends are driving these splits. The takeaway: pricing power is hyperlocal—your negotiating stance changes fast once you cross county lines.

Jimmy Kimmel returns to late night after Disney suspension

After nearly a week off the air following controversy over on-air remarks, Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to ABC this week. Most affiliates aired the show, but station groups Nexstar and Sinclair say they’ll keep preempting it for now. Viewers who can’t catch it locally still have streaming and clip options.

Amazon settles Prime case; $1.5B set aside for user refunds

Amazon reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC this week over allegations it used deceptive tactics to enroll customers in Prime and then made it too hard to cancel. The deal includes a record $1 billion civil penalty and a $1.5 billion fund for affected users, plus UI changes to simplify canceling.

Poppi agrees to $8.9 million settlement over ‘gut healthy’ claims

Prebiotic soda Poppi will pay $8.9 million to settle a class action alleging its “gut healthy” marketing outpaced the science. Shoppers who bought between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025, can file claims (without receipts up to $16 per household; more with proof). Final approval is slated for November, with payments after court sign-off. It’s a reminder that functional-health branding draws both customers and lawyers—bring receipts, and preferably peer-reviewed ones.

Trump promotes unproven Tylenol-autism and vaccine links

At a White House presser, the president suggested ties between acetaminophen, vaccine timing, and autism. The claims are widely rejected by medical experts. Major medical organizations reiterated Tylenol’s appropriateness during pregnancy and emphasized decades of evidence against a vaccine-autism link. The administration framed new efforts as a broader push to study autism’s causes. Health pros warn that mixed messages risk real-world harms if patients avoid needed care.

Senate report flags DOGE cloud risks to Social Security data

A Senate report this week alleges that Elon Musk’s DOGE moved sensitive Social Security and employment data to an inadequately secured cloud environment. Whistleblowers and internal risk assessments cited a high likelihood of a catastrophic breach. Lawmakers are calling for an immediate halt and tighter oversight.

Costco ahi tuna poke recalled over potential listeria

An FDA-announced recall covers more than 3,300 pounds of Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke tied to contaminated green onions. Sold in 33 states with pack date 9/18/25 and sell-by 9/22/25, the product should be discarded or returned; no illnesses have been reported. Listeria can be serious for vulnerable groups and during pregnancy. It’s the latest in a string of quality-control headaches for big-box private labels—check your fridge before your next sushi-night shortcut.

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As kids, most of us had a love-hate relationship with back-to-school shopping.

Many remember the excitement of trading their old backpack for a cool new one so they could show off to friends at school. Of course, a matching pencil bag and notebooks with fun designs were also a priority.   

Planning that first-day-of-school outfit also required strategic thinking, since it would be the first impression everyone would get of us after a long summer break.

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The stakes were high — if the outfit or school supplies turned out to be a flop, you risked not fitting in with the cool crowd or getting roasted by other classmates. 

Returning to school meant reuniting with friends and discovering if you had fun teachers. However, the dread of going back to doing piles of homework and reading useless novels is something many would rather not relive. 

Related: When you’ll see empty retail store shelves due to tariffs

Lately, the uncertain state of the economy has put many parents in a more challenging position, leading them to cut back on unnecessary spending to prioritize more critical necessities.

So what does this mean for back-to-school purchases?

Back-to-school shopping faces economic pressures

Money has been tight for many, leading some to postpone their yearly family vacations until further notice. 

Yet despite looming tariffs that threaten price increases and supply-chain headaches, retailers are doing everything in their power to provide value to consumers so they can also profit from the seasonal spending. 

Related: Discount retailer offers lower prices in area Walmart, Target dominate

For example, major retail chains like Target  (TGT)  and Walmart  (WMT)  have launched summer sales events promoting lower prices on back-to-school products.

Back-to-school shopping proceeds as usual 

Despite it all, nearly three-fourths of consumers expect to spend the same or more on back-to-school shopping this year, with more than one in three anticipating spending more than they did last year, according to PwC’s latest consumer survey.

Technology is a priority for this year’s school supplies list. One quarter of parents plan to spend more than $500, considering that technology is usually pricier than notebooks or pencils. 

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However, consumers are not shopping indiscriminately. Many value-conscious parents will cut back on some categories, with 37% reporting only purchasing items on sale.

“A lot of it is necessities,” said PWC U.S. Retail Lender Kelly Pedersen. “This is just necessary spend every year.”

Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast

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