Lazar Ilic, the owner of the Canadian store Appliance Outlet, has warned that counter-tariffs may soon drive up the cost of American-made goods. as reported by CTV News on September 8 , 2026, the retailer is proactively shifting its inventory toward products from Asia, Europe, and Canada to shield shoppers from price hikes.
Lazar Ilic's Warning on U.S .-Made Appliance Costs
The warning comes after suppliers notified Lazar Ilic that trade measures are beginning to impact the wholesale cost of certain U.S.-built models. According to the report by Andrew Johnson of CTV News, this notification serves as the first concrete indication that new counter-tariffs are moving from policy documents to actual retail shelves. For a business like Appliance Outlet, this means a sudden need to audit every unit on the floor to determine which items will remain affordable and which will become liabilities.
The timing of this shift is critical, as the warning was issued at 6:18 p.m. EDT on September 8, 2026 . While some existing stock of American appliances may still be available at previous prices, the long-term viability of these products in the Canadian market is now under scrutiny as the store evaluates its inventory product by product.
The Pivot to European and Asian Manufacturing
To mitigate the financial impact on consumers, Appliance Outlet is aggressively promoting appliances manufactured in Canada, Europe, and Asia. by diversifying its supply chain, the store aims to provide functional alternatives that do not carry the tariff-related markups associated with U.S. imports. This move reflects a broader pattern seen in previous trade disputes,where retailers rapidly pivot to secondary markets to maintain price stability when a primary trade partner becomes too expensive.
This strategic shift places a new burden of diligence on the consumer.. Because brand names often mask the actual location of assembly, shoppers at Appliance Outlet are being encouraged to ask specifically where a product was built and to verify model numbers and supplier details before completing a purchase.
The Vulnerability of Independent Dealers vs. National Retailers
The situation at Appliance Outlet highlights a stark divide in how trade wars affect different business scales. As CTV News reported, independent appliance dealers operate with far less leverage than national retailers. While a large chain with a national distribution network can spread the cost of tariffs across thousands of stores to soften the blow,a small seller like Appliance Outlet must absorb the cost or pass it directly to the customer.
Furthermore, independent dealers face a precarious relationship with their suppliers. If a wholesale price increases after an order has already been placed, the dealer has almost no room to renegotiate the terms. This leaves owners like Lazar Ilic in the difficult position of deciding whether to sell remaining U.S. stock at a loss or risk alienating customers with immediate price increases.
The Missing Percentage and Product Lists from Suppliers
Despite the urgency of the pivot, significant gaps remain in the available data. The supplier warnings mentioned in the CTV News report did not include an exact percentage for the expected price increases, nor did they provide a comprehensive list of which specific U.S.-made products would be affected. This lack of transparency means that pricing will likely vary wildly by manufacturer and model, creating a volatile pricing environment for the retailer.
Until suppliers update their official pricing sheets, Appliance Outlet and other small businesses importing U.S. goods are essentially operating in the dark. The industry is currently waiting for detailed documentation to understand whether these tariffs will be a marginal increase or a prohibitive jump in cost.
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