Bloomberg Businessweek Threat of War Escalates
Jun 17, 2025
Dana Telsey, founder and CEO of Telsey Advisory Group, shares insights on the significant decline in U.S. retail sales and how geopolitical tensions, especially involving Iran, are influencing consumer behavior. Travis McCready from JLL discusses the implications of these conflicts on global trade and real estate, highlighting the demand for data centers amidst rising protectionism. Their dialogue unveils how modern economic strategies must adapt to a rapidly changing international landscape marked by military and trade uncertainties.
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U.S. Military Positioning Near Iran
- The U.S. is positioning military assets near Iran in preparation for potential strikes, signaling seriousness without a formal war declaration.
- The use of the B-2 stealth bomber and massive bunker buster bombs would represent an overt act of war against Iran.
Selective Price Increases Amid Tariffs
- Tariffs apply broadly, so companies raise prices selectively on higher-end, newer goods where consumers tolerate increases.
- Retailers diversify sourcing and share costs to manage tariff impacts without across-the-board price hikes.
Conflict Drives Shipping Changes
- Regional conflicts like Israel-Iran tensions cause shipping route changes, increasing costs and emissions.
- These shifts impact global shipping rates and consumer prices due to longer transit distances and fuel use.