US-China's tariff probation avoids a crisis for retailers, but they won't emerge from the trade war without any loss.

"Companies don't know what they are going to solve yet, and it's much harder than solving real problems," Simeon Siegel of BMO Capital Markets told Yahoo Finance. "What is doing Monday is that it's getting us closer and at least knowing this problem."

On Wednesday, the American Eagle (AEO) joined many retailers to withdraw guidance for 2025 due to macro uncertainty.

And, companies still have to issue prices with inflation-produced consumers. Inflation in clothing and footwear fell by 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively, in April’s Consumer Price Index printing.

However, so far, most stores are selling stocks that are already on sale in the U.S. The higher tariffs announced in April will reach imports for sale later. Andy Schneider, senior economist at BNP Paribas, said retailers typically have "about a month and a half" in stock in the United States.

"As we look further…the summer, maybe most of the time, you will start to see the impact of tariffs," KPMG's U.S. leader Duleep Rodrigo told Yahoo Finance.

Read more: What Trump’s tariffs mean to the economy and your wallet

While a 90-day pause in reducing China's tariffs from 145% to 30% makes the situation more manageable, it is unclear when a permanent deal will be reached and whether higher interest rates will be re-formed in the future.

Schneider said that if these higher responsibilities remain, it could lead to “pandemic disruption of the supply chain.”

Consumers’ candid mood during the trade war, and higher prices will be a tough pill for shoppers. Siegel said there are so many unknowns that it is difficult to know which retail stocks will be winners.

“As an investor, you have to look for what you want in the risk-reward framework,” Siegel said. “I think in extreme cases, companies like TJX or Planet Fitness are getting more complicated… because people are seeing them as stakes and can operate well in tariff and recession environments.”

CFRA analyst Zachary Warring said he likes Ross Stores (ROST) over TJX (TJX) given the company's valuation. Rodrigo points out that low prices should benefit as a category when consumers seek value.

Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors' boss Capri were highlighted as potential performers. Siegel said he likes the company, especially after agreeing to sell Versace to Prada last month for $1.375 billion. The move “will generate meaningful cash and transfer the company from its net debt business to its net cash business.”