Your Money Minute — “Price Increases As Holidays Approach”

Host: Jessica Ettinger (CNBC)
Guest: Brian Nagle (Senior Analyst, Oppenheimer)
Date: September 16, 2025
Length: ~1 min (excluding ads)

Overview

In this quick, insight-packed segment, host Jessica Ettinger explores why holiday shopping is starting even earlier in 2025. Oppenheimer’s Brian Nagle joins to discuss why American consumers should prepare for widespread price increases as the holiday season approaches. The discussion centers on the impact of tariffs, emerging inflation, and evolving retailer tactics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Earlier Holiday Shopping—With Good Reason

• Americans start holiday shopping sooner every year, but this year there’s a practical financial rationale (00:04).
• Jessica mentions:

  “Every year it feels like Americans start their holiday shopping earlier and earlier. But this year there's a good reason.” (A, 00:04)

2. Widespread Price Increases Predicted

• Brian Nagle signals that many companies are already beginning to raise prices—an early warning for consumers (00:11).
• He cautions that:

  “...we're still… early in this, but we're seeing a lot of companies start to raise prices.” (B, 00:11)

• He expands:

  “As 25 progresses, as we move into the holiday season, there's going to be a lot of companies simultaneously raising prices.” (B, 00:24)

3. Key Factors Driving Price Hikes

• Tariffs: A major reason companies plan on raising prices (00:37).
  • Only a fraction of tariff costs have been passed to consumers so far—just 22%, indicating there’s more to come.
• Jessica notes:

  “Tariffs are one reason why companies are planning price increases. The National Retail Federation… stated inflation's only beginning to bite with just 22% of tariff costs being passed on to consumers so far…” (A, 00:37)

4. Retailers’ Strategy: Early Holiday Promotions

• Last year, giants like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy launched deep holiday sales as early as October’s second week (00:51).
• This year, shopping early could shield consumers from steeper prices as the holidays get closer.

5. Actionable Takeaways

• Shop Early, Save Money: The segment ends with Jessica advising listeners:

  “If you shop early this year and then don't get lured in for more closer to the holidays, your budget will thank you.” (A, 01:08)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Brian Nagle (Oppenheimer), on early price hikes:

  “We're seeing a lot of companies start to raise prices.” (00:11)

• Brian Nagle, on the trend’s trajectory:

  “As we move into the holiday season, there's going to be a lot of companies simultaneously raising prices.” (00:24)

• Jessica Ettinger, on consumer strategy:

  “If you shop early this year and then don't get lured in for more closer to the holidays, your budget will thank you.” (01:08)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Why Americans Should Shop Early – 00:04
• Brian Nagle’s warning on price increases – 00:11, 00:24
• Tariffs and inflation’s impact – 00:37
• Retailers’ October sales and consumer advice – 00:51, 01:08

Summary

This episode urges listeners to shift their holiday shopping even earlier in 2025, as many companies are rolling out price hikes due to tariffs and inflation. Analysts predict steeper increases as the season progresses; consumers are advised to act soon to keep holiday spending in check.
Jessica Ettinger keeps the tone informative and brisk, reflecting the show’s focus on timely, actionable personal finance tips.