Phoenix toy store bracing for Trump’s China tariffs to impact pricing, supply
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — President Donald Trump told American parents this week that their kids might have to live with fewer toys. Most toys are made in China, and the new tariffs will make them more expensive and less available in stores.
A Valley toy store said it’s already feeling the impact. Wildlings Toy Boutique in Phoenix says the summer is typically a slow season for them, so they don’t usually stock the store. However, with 80% of toys produced in China, the owner said she’s been buying toys to create a back-stock of inventory.
Wildlings Toy Boutique is straight out of owner Jenn Mawcinitt’s imagination. “Purposeful play was the mission here. So everything here has a purpose,” she said.
For five years, it’s been her safe haven, and she describes it as one of the best things she’s created. Last month, however, when the Trump administration announced 145% tariffs on items coming from China, her business became a point of stress.
“Ultimately, toy manufacturers and toy store owners don’t operate on margins that would allow us to absorb those costs. We’re going to have to pass it on to our customers, and that is really hard to say,” Mawcinitt said.
While her prices and inventory are ok right now, Mawcinitt knows it could be a matter of time before her shelves look a lot different. “We’re seeing across-the-board price increases with toys. I have seen anywhere from 30% to 100%,” she explained. “Many of our manufacturers are announcing that there are toys they will not be bringing back into the U.S. until they can offer them at an affordable price.”
With similar emails coming from other distributors and manufacturers, she said the holidays are a big question mark.
“We have taken the step of bringing in a lot of additional inventory that normally we would bring in closer to the end of the year. ... We wanted to be able to offer toys to our customers at a lower price for as long as possible,” she explained.
As shipments from China drop and vendors warn of shortages, Mawcinitt’s mind goes to the long-term impacts. “If you’re here for the first time and you see tariff-priced toys, you’re going to be like, ‘Oh, that boutique is way too expensive. I don’t go there anymore.’ So I’m really afraid of the long-term impact of this on people’s perception of my business,” she said.
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