10-05-2025
Denver pet store warns prices of toys, pet food are on the rise thanks to tariffs
DENVER (KDVR) — A local business is starting to feel the heat of import tariffs and is being transparent with customers that they will, unfortunately, have to start spending more.
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Luke & Co. Fine Pet Supply has been in business on Broadway for the last nine years, and owner Luke Johnson knows his customers love their pets.
'People come in and nothing else matters except them and their cat or them and their dog,' said Johnson.
He loves his customers, making strong connections over the years.
'Either recognize their face or we know them on a first-name basis,' said Johnson.
That's why he said it hurts to have to put signs on the doors letting people know that the impacts of tariffs on China and other countries are finally here.
'I was a little bit worried about it, but I didn't think it would actually come to fruition,' says Johnson.
Three weeks ago, he got the first email from a manufacturer saying prices on their goods would go up at least 20%.
'Now it's usually weekly we're getting an email from somebody about tariffs,' said Johnson.
It's mostly toys that will be affected since most of them are made in China, but some food will have the price tag hit, too.
'A lot of the duck and the rabbit in the world come from France,' said Johnson. 'Lamb often comes from New Zealand.'
Even the paper bags made overseas, which previously, Johnson never charged for, will now cost $1.54 just for the store to break even.
'Some people think that's ridiculous, that we're trying to gouge people,' he said. 'We're not, that's literally what we're going to pay for a bag.'
He said the price increases, unfortunately, have to happen because of the store's already slim profit margin.
'We really can't even eat 10% without going out of business,' said Johnson.
He thinks the idea behind the tariffs is sound, but he hopes some changes in how they're being implemented will be made so he can keep serving the customers he loves.
'Personally, I very much agree with bringing manufacturing and jobs to America,' he said. 'It's just you have to give companies a couple years, you can't do it in 90 days.'
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While the first round of messaging from manufacturers shows around a 20% increase in costs, he expects that number will continue to climb.
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