https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/small-retailers-brace-for-huge-hit-this-holiday-season-as-shipping-costs-spikeContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/small-retailers-brace-for-huge-hit-this-holiday-season-as-shipping-costs-spikehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/small-retailers-brace-for-huge-hit-this-holiday-season-as-shipping-costs-spike#u187515Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:40:39 +0000Small and medium-sized retailers are facing a difficult holiday season as surging shipping costs and seasonal surcharges squeeze their profit margins. Elevated fuel expenses and higher freight rates are driving up postage costs just as peak holiday demand arrives. To protect price-sensitive customers, some business owners choose to absorb the losses directly rather than passing the full financial burden down to consumers. Major companies including Amazon and other large retailers also paid higher freight prices during the third quarter, reflecting broader logistical pressures across the indust