Friday, May 1, 2026
Business - LEVEL1

How Trump’s Tariffs Are Reshaping American Shopping Habits

By aimee yang
How Trump’s Tariffs Are Reshaping American Shopping Habits

Charlene and Phil Willingham want to buy new kitchen appliances. Their old ones are 20 years old. They decided to shop now because prices might go up soon. The Willinghams are both retired. They went to a store in the Chicago area on Friday. They wanted to buy a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher.

“We wanted to wait, but now with the new tariffs, I want to buy these appliances before they get more expensive,” said Ms. Willingham, 64, while at Abt Electronics in Glenview, Illinois.

Many people are worried about prices. This weekend, many shoppers tried to buy items before the tariffs take effect. Some bought more groceries and essentials.

“I feel the need to stock up,” said Shali Santos, 28, after buying water and soap at Costco in Los Angeles.

Other shoppers were calm. They felt good about the future and did not change their shopping plans. They believe that things will get better.

“I think prices will go down again,” said Gregg Harris, 61, while shopping for food at Walmart in Nashville.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Tariffs/ˈtær.ɪfs/noun
Taxes imposed by a government on imported goods.

Appliances/əˈplaɪ.ən.sɪz/noun
Devices or machines used to perform specific tasks typically in the home.

Essentials/ɪˈsen.ʃəlz/noun
Basic items that are necessary for daily life.

Stock up/stɒk ʌp/verb
To buy and store a large quantity of something.

Worried/ˈwʌr.id/adjective
Feeling anxious or concerned about something.

Shoppers/ˈʃɒp.ərz/noun
People who are shopping or looking to buy goods.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

Why did Charlene and Phil Willingham decide to buy new kitchen appliances now?
Their old appliances are 20 years old
Prices might go up soon due to new tariffs
They are retiring soon
They wanted to redecorate their kitchen
Where did Charlene and Phil Willingham go to buy the new kitchen appliances?
Abt Electronics in Glenview, Illinois
Costco in Los Angeles
Walmart in Nashville
Home Depot in Chicago
What items did Charlene and Phil Willingham want to buy?
Stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher
TV, couch, dining table, and chairs
Bed, wardrobe, mirror, and lamps
Outdoor grill, patio set, hammock, and umbrella
How old is Ms. Willingham?
54
62
64
68
Where did Shali Santos buy water and soap?
Costco in Los Angeles
Abt Electronics in Glenview, Illinois
Walmart in Nashville
Home Depot in Chicago
What did many shoppers do this weekend regarding prices?
Tried to buy items before the tariffs take effect
Ignored the price changes
Waited for prices to increase
Sold their existing appliances
The Willinghams are a young couple about to start a family.
Shali Santos believes that prices will go up due to new tariffs.
Charlene and Phil Willingham purchased additional groceries and essentials.
Gregg Harris is worried about the current prices.
Other shoppers changed their shopping plans because of the tariffs.
Gregg Harris is shopping for food at Walmart in Los Angeles.
Ms. Willingham is years old.
Charlene and Phil Willingham wanted to buy new kitchen appliances because their old ones are years old.
Shali Santos stock up on and at Costco in Los Angeles.
Many shoppers tried to buy items before the tariffs take effect this .
Gregg Harris believes that prices will go again.
Other shoppers were about the future and did not change their shopping plans.
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Tariffs/ˈtær.ɪfs/noun
Taxes imposed by a government on imported goods.
Appliances/əˈplaɪ.ən.sɪz/noun
Devices or machines used to perform specific tasks typically in the home.
Essentials/ɪˈsen.ʃəlz/noun
Basic items that are necessary for daily life.
Stock up/stɒk ʌp/verb
To buy and store a large quantity of something.
Worried/ˈwʌr.id/adjective
Feeling anxious or concerned about something.
Shoppers/ˈʃɒp.ərz/noun
People who are shopping or looking to buy goods.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

Why did Charlene and Phil Willingham decide to buy new kitchen appliances now?
Their old appliances are 20 years old
Prices might go up soon due to new tariffs
They are retiring soon
They wanted to redecorate their kitchen
Where did Charlene and Phil Willingham go to buy the new kitchen appliances?
Abt Electronics in Glenview, Illinois
Costco in Los Angeles
Walmart in Nashville
Home Depot in Chicago
What items did Charlene and Phil Willingham want to buy?
Stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher
TV, couch, dining table, and chairs
Bed, wardrobe, mirror, and lamps
Outdoor grill, patio set, hammock, and umbrella
How old is Ms. Willingham?
54
62
64
68
Where did Shali Santos buy water and soap?
Costco in Los Angeles
Abt Electronics in Glenview, Illinois
Walmart in Nashville
Home Depot in Chicago
What did many shoppers do this weekend regarding prices?
Tried to buy items before the tariffs take effect
Ignored the price changes
Waited for prices to increase
Sold their existing appliances
The Willinghams are a young couple about to start a family.
Shali Santos believes that prices will go up due to new tariffs.
Charlene and Phil Willingham purchased additional groceries and essentials.
Gregg Harris is worried about the current prices.
Other shoppers changed their shopping plans because of the tariffs.
Gregg Harris is shopping for food at Walmart in Los Angeles.
Ms. Willingham is years old.
Charlene and Phil Willingham wanted to buy new kitchen appliances because their old ones are years old.
Shali Santos stock up on and at Costco in Los Angeles.
Many shoppers tried to buy items before the tariffs take effect this .
Gregg Harris believes that prices will go again.
Other shoppers were about the future and did not change their shopping plans.
This question is required

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