As many people worldwide are tracking the ever-changing tariffs, some are watching it more closely than others. Local British import stores, such as The Bee’s Knees British Imports in Acton and Best of British in Concord, are having to track the tariffs daily to respond appropriately.
Decorative tins at the Bee’s Knees shop are one of the items with tarriff-induced price hikes. (Photo by Marley Smith)
“It’s a very uncertain time of what’s going to happen, so you have to check the [news] very closely,” said Lucinda Sears, co-owner of The Bee’s Knees. “We read every news article.”
British import stores are figuring out how to best adjust their prices to stay afloat amid the rampantly increasing costs due to tariffs, while maintaining their loyal customers.
The U.K. was one of the first countries with which President Donald Trump reached an agreement to reduce tariffs on certain goods. However, most of the goods that local British stores sell, such as clothing, ceramics, chocolate, jam, and more, remain with a blanket 10% tariff, according to the White House
Sears said the impact of the tariffs varies drastically item to item. She said the store was always paying tariffs on their imports, but the tariffs usually would be around 6%. Now, she said, instead of paying just the new 10% tariff, the store is paying the 10% on top of the pre-existing 6%.
Specialty jams at Concord's Best of British shop are affected by the new U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Marley Smith)
Some items carry higher tariffs than others. Sears said her store sells tins designed by British companies; however, Sears must pay a tariff of more than 30% on them because they are made in China, and an additional 50% tariff because they are made out of foreign steel. She said she is uncertain if the store is going to be able to restock them due to the drastic price increase.
Jessie Londono, the manager of Best of British, said some price adjustments are more noticeable than others. For example, jars of jam have doubled in price, some going from $6 to $12.
Londono said food items and candies have more economic elasticity than clothing items. No matter how high the prices get, people will still buy them. While clothing prices have not been as affected as chocolate bar prices, some of which have seen a 50% increase from $2 to $3, Londono said chocolate and candy will always sell, so Best of British will continue to focus on those products and will pay less attention to items like clothing with less demand and elasticity.
A replica of a King’s Guard sentry greets visitors at the Best of British on Main Street in Concord. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Sears said customers have been very sympathetic toward her and her store, and very understanding about the current economic situation. Sears said because of this, she has not noticed a dip in customers. She said while the current 10% tariff is manageable, she is uncertain if her store will continue to be able to make sales if it increases.
The business magazine Forbes said small businesses often operate on a “razor’s edge” in terms of operating costs, so when economic factors change, such as the imposition of new tariffs, it often has a disproportionate effect on small businesses.
“Some people don’t quite realize that a small shop like us could be affected by this,” Sears said.
The Bee’s Knees on Mass. Ave. in West Acton offers teapots, china, decorative tins, and many other imported household goods and gifts. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Marley Smith is a student intern at the Press. She attends Northwestern University.
