Companies Resume Price Hikes as Tariffs, Costs Bite

Shoppers brace for steep price increases across a range of products

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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After a brief pause, companies are again raising prices on a variety of goods including jeans, spices, software, and other durable products. The increases, often in the high-single-digit range, are steeper than a typical January reset and are driven by higher costs for tariffs, wages, materials, and shipping that companies are passing on to consumers.

Why it matters

The return of widespread price hikes comes as a blow to consumers who had enjoyed a brief respite from rising costs. Small businesses in particular are facing tighter margins and are being forced to raise prices or cut product lines, which could further strain household budgets.

The details

Levi Strauss, Columbia Sportswear, McCormick, and other firms report they are paying more for tariffs, wages, health insurance, materials, and shipping, and are passing at least some of those increased costs on to customers. Online data shows the largest monthly jump in web prices in more than a decade, led by big-ticket categories. Small businesses facing thinner margins are raising prices across the board or cutting products they don't think customers will pay more for.

  • In January 2026, companies began raising prices on a variety of goods.
  • Last week, economists at JPMorgan predicted that "inflation will re-accelerate for a time this year."

The players

Levi Strauss

An American clothing company that is raising prices due to increased costs.

Columbia Sportswear

An American outdoor apparel and accessories company that is raising prices due to increased costs.

McCormick

An American food company that is raising prices due to increased costs.

Structural Systems Repair Group

A Cincinnati-based construction company that has seen steel prices rise 10% due to tariffs and healthcare costs increase by around the same amount.

JPMorgan

An American multinational investment bank that predicted inflation will re-accelerate this year.

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What they’re saying

“It's not sustainable for us to tolerate that kind of increase without some sort of concession from our customers.”

— Bryan Erickson, President of Structural Systems Repair Group (Wall Street Journal)

The takeaway

The return of widespread price hikes across a range of consumer goods and services will put further strain on household budgets, especially for small businesses and low-income consumers who have fewer options to absorb the increased costs.