Retail industry flourishing as companies brace for impact of new tariffs

The U.S. retail industry is flourishing, a rebuke to critics who just a few years ago predicted its demise, but looming threats such as President Trump’s trade skirmishes may weigh on profits in 2019.

At least 25 of the top publicly-traded stores reported revenue growth for the most recent earnings period, according to a Washington Examiner review of the disclosures. Several, like footwear company DSW, Inc., posted double-digit gains.

Their success comes amid an economic boom — spurring low unemployment, high consumer sentiment and a slight increase in wages — that may be dampened by interest-rate increases from the Federal Reserve as well as Trump's levies on overseas imports and retaliation from trading partners.

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