Mixed sales and profit forecasts from major US retailers such as Target and Home Depot have prompted investors to question if this year's crucial holiday season will yield the windfall typically associated with a year-end shopping surge.

Rising costs driven by US President Donald Trump 's import tariffs and subdued consumer spending have given rise to fresh worries about the resilience of the American shopper. "We are planning cautiously for the back half of the year, given continued uncertainty and volatility," Target's chief commercial officer, Rick Gomez, said on Wednesday.

Consumer and retail companies have also been among the worst hit by tariffs. The unpredictable nature of Trump's trade policies has contributed to a decline in US consumer sentiment, as shoppers expect tepid ec

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