In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble continues her "WTF! What the TariFfs!" series, discussing the recent and significant impacts of US-imposed tariffs (especially under the Trump administration) on packaging and product costs for beauty, health, and wellness brands. She discusses how increased tariffs on materials like aluminum (notably from Canada and Mexico) and other packaging components are forcing both startups and conglomerates to rethink sourcing, reformulation, and pricing strategies. Megan explains the importance of cross-functional teamwork and adopting agile and SCRUM methodologies to stay nimble in the face of constantly changing regulations. She highlights recent moves by big brands like ELF raising prices and calls for ongoing, intentional conversations among all stakeholders. Key insight: most brands, facing tight margins, will have to pass these increased costs onto consumers.

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🎙️ Listen to WTF! What the TariFfs! pt1 here

Quotes:

1. This is really the WTF moment for all of us - brands, suppliers, consumers.
2. Brands from startup to conglomerate are having to re-strategize every piece of their supply chain.
3. Fenty Hair’s aluminum bottles might look great, but if tariffs hit hard, that beauty comes at a high cost.
4. Even Elf Beauty is raising product prices from August 2025 to manage inflation and tariffs. If they can’t absorb the cost, imagine the pressure on indie brands.
5. Everyone must be at the table - founders, project managers, suppliers, retailers. No one can sit this out.
6. The only country exempt from the 50% aluminum tariff? Britain. Everyone else, brace yourself.
7. Use your Scrum toolkit. Two-week sprints are essential when policies shift this fast.
8. This isn’t just a packaging problem. This is a pricing, sourcing, strategy, and survival problem.
9. Brands aren’t just reacting to tariffs, they’re redefining what resilience looks like in beauty.