Multiple international lighting brands to raise prices! Lighting industry under tariff impact

The US policy of imposing tariffs on China continues to escalate, compounded by pressure from global supply chain restructuring, leaving the lighting industry facing a new round of challenges.

Initial impact of US tariff hikes seen, lighting companies forced to raise prices

据报道，昕诺飞旗下的Genlyte Solutions近日宣布，因市场状况和关税影响，将对部分产品提价。自2025年3月24日起，部分LED灯、电子设备和控制装置的价格将上调5%至8%。此次调整也适用于一些照明灯具产品，包括灯杆和支架。

The company has notified its agents and dealers to ensure a smooth transition. Genlyte Solutions stated that the company remains committed to maintaining competitive prices while addressing economic pressures.

It is also reported that Cooper Lighting Solutions (Cooper Lighting Solutions) will implement price increases for certain brands starting from March 24.

Similarly, foreign media reports indicate that well-known lighting brand Current also conducted a second price increase on March 17. This adjustment applies to certain products affected by the latest tariffs. Previously, Current had raised prices on some products on March 3, primarily because the U.S. government imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods exported to the U.S. starting February 4. The cumulative price increase was significantly influenced by the combined effect of tariffs.

The individual emphasized that the company is working hard to minimize the impact of price hikes on agents and customers.

Previously, lighting companies mainly raised prices due to rising costs of raw materials and other factors. Now, whether they will raise prices due to tariffs is a matter of widespread concern and worry among all industry practitioners.

For example, another major international player, Acuity Brands, has not yet announced a price increase. It is worth noting that the company name Acuity Brands, Inc. will change to Acuity Inc., effective March 26, 2025, and will continue to operate through two business segments: Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), the latter formerly known as Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). "We are streamlining our brand hierarchy to align our business segments and promote a unified brand experience," said a company representative.

Since February 2025, the U.S. tariff policy toward China, Canada, Mexico and other countries has frequently changed: from a stepped tariff increase on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%; to the dramatic operation of Canadian steel and aluminum tariffs soaring to 50% before being withdrawn; to the "bargaining" by Mexico to exchange border cooperation for a temporary suspension of tariffs... This tariff "farce" continues to unfold.

Among them, on March 3 Eastern Time, the U.S. side announced an additional 10% tariff on products exported to the U.S. from China, effective from March 4, citing issues such as fentanyl. The cumulative tariff increase on Chinese goods has doubled to 20%.

Tariffs loom large; US retailers shift burden to suppliers

The imposition of tariffs by the United States on other countries has triggered widespread concern among many global enterprises, including US firms, fearing that tariffs will force price hikes. Tariffs are a double-edged sword. Although the Trump administration's original intent was to curb China's dominant position in production and trade, imposing tariffs will also raise costs for importers, directly passing them on to US consumers.

The tariff transmission chain is accelerating toward the end consumer.

On March 16 local time, The Wall Street Journal reported that major US retailers are using all means to cope with President Trump's rapidly escalating trade war, from pressuring suppliers for lower prices to seeking alternative sources, even shifting costs onto consumers... Discussions between retailers and suppliers have been at times tense and intense, with "many negotiations underway".

Some Chinese suppliers stated that Walmart, Home Depot and other retailers have recently made similar demands: either offer concessions and lower prices, or move production out of China, otherwise suppliers may face the risk of losing orders, attempting to shift the burden of US tariffs on China to Chinese suppliers and Chinese consumers .

供应商则表示，由于许多制造商本就利润微薄，部分价格谈判陷入僵局。而零售商为避免市场份额流失也不愿上调零售价。

美国家庭装饰品与建材零售商家得宝的一位高管称，在2月美国首次对中国商品征收10%的额外关税后，家得宝要求其一家美国照明和家居装饰供应商承担成本。该供应商同意给予为期两个月10%的折扣，其中一部分将由其中国制造商承担。

After the second round of tariffs was introduced in March, the supplier rejected Home Depot's request for further price reductions and instead shifted production to Southeast Asia to avoid tariffs, enabling it to eventually charge Home Depot the original price.

A Home Depot spokesperson stated that the company has been continuously pursuing procurement diversification for over ten years, "which typically requires multi-year collaboration with suppliers."

It is known that Home Depot is an American home decor retailer whose first store opened more than 40 years ago in Atlanta, Georgia. As of early 2024, it operates over 2,300 stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is one of the largest home decoration companies in the US, influencing the American home improvement sector with its strong brand influence and extensive retail network.

Among them, the luminaire category is a major best-selling category on the Home Depot platform. Products such as chandeliers, pendant lights, ceiling lights, wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps are particularly popular on the platform. Many lighting luminaire suppliers have chosen to join this platform.

Nowadays, with the US government threatening to impose tariffs on more trading partners, companies worry that after investing resources to shift production capacity, goods from new production sites may again face tariff risks.

In the short term, tariff pressures and supply chain restructuring will continue to test corporate resilience while forcing enterprises to accelerate transformation. Facing the current situation, Chinese lighting enterprises need to balance regional market layouts and avoid over-reliance on a single export destination.