The chain plans for the holidays nearly a year in advance, sourcing items from more than 25 countries. Macy’s worked with vendors to keep prices low in as many categories as possible. But still, some increases will happen for products like toys and sweaters, Dvir said.

"While we saw the tariffs coming towards us, what we tried to do was really offset what that cost (was) by putting more into the product," she told CNN.

That means investing in elevated fabrics, like cashmere, so customers will hopefully think the quality is worth the cost.

As the holiday season marches on, kra47 at Macy’s is using its own economists to help translate what the latest economic data will mean for customers. That way, Macy’s can pivot on assortment and pricing.

"It is a science, but there’s a little art that goes into it as well," Dvir said.