As it confronts the shifting Trump administration action on tariffs, Wayfair said it has approached vendors asking them to remain flexible and not to “rush to raise prices” in expectation of new tariffs as they work with the retailer through the year and as the big Way Day promotion approaches.
Wayfair said it remains focused on the opportunity that Way Day represents and will work with vendors to ensure consumers will find the promotion attractive.
“We’ve seen strong customer response to our promotions — which we work with our suppliers closely on — and anticipate strong supplier participation for our next Way Day,” a Wayfair spokesperson noted in response to a HomePage News inquiry.
In anticipation of the Way Day event, which observers suspect will occur in early May, although the company has yet to provide a date, Wayfair said it is suggesting vendors place themselves in a position to best capitalize on the promotion and drive business for themselves and the retailer.
“We encourage our suppliers to leverage our proprietary CastleGate logistics network,” the Wayfair spokesperson indicated, “to forward-position inventory and leverage our global end-to-end forwarding and fulfillment capabilities.”
As the company confronts the current uncertain international trade environment, Wayfair said it is dealing with the realities on an ongoing basis and encouraging vendors to do the same. The company said it is using its data exchange capabilities to maintain conversations and prepare to respond as circumstances warrant.
“Data exchange allows Wayfair to share the best tools and strategies with its global supplier network to enable them to quickly respond to tariff changes and stay competitive on our platform,” the spokesperson told HomePage News. “This includes thinking through pricing and delivery options that meet customer expectations even in a dynamic trade environment.”
The company will “closely monitor the ongoing trade landscape and the impacts to our industry,” the spokesperson noted, adding, “we’ve advised our supplier network to take a wait-and-see-approach and not rush to raise prices as the landscape is changing every day. “
The company said it intends to maintain its dialogue with vendors, working with them to do what can be done to minimize disruption to their mutual operations.
“For over 20 years, we’ve partnered closely with our supplier network to deliver the best combination of value and assortment to our customers,” the spokesperson said. “As we navigate this period of disruption, we’ve shared suggested actions with our suppliers, just as we have in past market cycles. Our goal is mutual success and continuing to provide customers with the best value in the category.”
