WASHINGTON —

Tariffs could push up prices for holiday shoppers this year, but experts say the impact may be smaller than many predicted.

A new LendingTree analysis estimates added costs for the average American. It finds, if the current tariff levels had been in place during the 2024 holiday season, consumers would've shouldered $28.6 billion, or $132 per shopper.

"I think, for consumers, the best thing they can do is plan for that worst-case scenario and factor in some increases into their budget," said LendingTree's Chief Consumer Finance Analyst Matt Schulz.

"It's too soon to know for sure exactly what the impact is going to be, but what is pretty clear is that the perception for most consumers is that they expect things to be more expensive," Schulz added.

A new survey from N

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