Trade tensions with Canada are back in the headlines, and tariffs on everything from autos to alcohol are back on the table. For retail and consumer investors, that kind of uncertainty can reshuffle competitive advantages, squeeze some companies, and open up pricing or market share opportunities for others. This article looks at how the proposed Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026 and recent tariff moves might affect U.S. retail and consumer stocks exposed to this story. It will discuss three stocks from the screener that appear positioned to be affected by these developments.

Burlington Stores (BURL)

Overview: Burlington Stores is a U.S. based off price retailer that sells branded apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, toys, baby products, beauty items, and seasonal coats across its Burlington and Cohoes Fashions store banners.

Operations: Burlington Stores generates about US$11.9b in revenue from retail apparel and related merchandise, almost entirely from stores in the United States.

Market Cap: US$22.1b

Investors looking at Burlington Stores in the context of rising tariffs on Canadian imports may find its U.S. focused off price model and flexible sourcing worth a closer look. The Burlington 2.0 store transformation, with smaller formats showing strong sales productivity and a plan to exceed 1,500 locations by 2028, is tied to earnings growth that has outpaced the Specialty Retail industry. At the same time, a rich P/E multiple, high leverage, and heavy dependence on physical expansion leave the stock exposed if consumer demand or trade costs shift. The combination of solid earnings momentum, active buybacks, and concentrated risks makes Burlington a stock where the specific details may be important for long term investors.

Burlington Stores’ earnings momentum, rich P/E, and expansion plans raise a simple question for you as an investor: Is the risk reward still skewed in your favor, or already pricing in too much optimism? Get the fuller picture in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

Village Farms International (VFF)

Overview: Village Farms International is a North American grower that uses large scale greenhouses to produce tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, while also operating cannabis businesses in Canada, the U.S. and the Netherlands, and supplying cannabis products to government and retail channels.

Operations: Village Farms International generates about US$174.2m from its Canada cannabis segment, with a segment adjustment of US$52.3m.

Market Cap: US$227.4m

Village Farms International sits at the intersection of essential food supply and higher margin cannabis. This mix could become more interesting if tariffs on Canadian imports push U.S. retailers to favor its Texas grown produce and create room for better pricing. Management has already flagged plans to lean harder on U.S. greenhouses and pass through import costs, while continuing to expand higher value cannabis formats such as gummies, vapes and pre rolls in Canada and Europe. At the same time, funding through external borrowing and equity offerings, plus heavy exposure to changing cannabis rules, means the upside story comes with real risk that investors need to weigh carefully before drawing conclusions.

Village Farms International’s greenhouse scale and cannabis upside could be masking what really matters for investors. Get the full story in the analysis report for Village Farms International, including one factor that could flip the thesis.

Zumiez (ZUMZ)

Overview: Zumiez is a specialty retailer focused on youth oriented apparel, footwear, accessories, and hardgoods like skateboards and snowboards, selling through its Zumiez, Blue Tomato, and Fast Times stores and e commerce sites across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other markets.

Operations: Zumiez generates about US$938.1m in revenue from retail apparel, with around US$713.1m from the United States and the balance spread across Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Market Cap: US$317.7m

Zumiez sits right in the crosshairs of the current U.S. Canada trade story, with tariffs lifting costs on some imported goods while potentially easing competitive pressure from Canadian youth apparel brands. The company is leaning into private label, digital engagement, and experiential retail, supported by high quality earnings and a track record of buybacks that reduced the share count by about 5.1%. At the same time, earnings are still modest, recent results include losses, international performance has been weak, and the stock trades at a rich P/E versus many peers. For investors, the tension between tariff risk, improving margins, and a higher priced stock is where the real opportunity and caution may lie.

Zumiez’s rich P/E, recent losses, and buybacks paint a more complex picture than the headline story suggests. Before you decide where you stand, review the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

The three stocks in this article are just a starting point, and the full screener has surfaced 17 more U.S. retail and consumer companies with stories that could be just as compelling as tariffs and shifting consumer categories play out, all brought together in the U.S. Retail and Consumer Stocks screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, trade angles, and business narratives that matter most to you so you can focus on the ideas in this space that you understand best.

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If Village Farms International or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.