As Mother’s Day nears, shoppers in Los Angeles may notice higher prices on gifts due to tariffs imposed by the federal government. Small business owners say the extra costs on imported goods are forcing them to raise prices.
Julio and Cinthya Barocio, who run the Outlet Store in Boyle Heights, say tariffs have pushed up the cost of some items they sell.
Their store buys discounted merchandise from big chains like Target and Walmart, but when those chains face higher costs, the discounts shrink. “If we’re paying a higher price, we’ve gotta up the price on it too,” Julio said.
Flower prices are also rising. Saul Jimenez, a wholesaler at California Flower Mart, explained that many flowers come from countries hit by tariffs, including Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico. Plus, supplies like ribbons and wrapping materials often come from China, adding to the cost. Jimenez estimates prices have gone up about 10%.
Some small business owners, like David Rodriguez of Pamela’s Flower Shop in Norwalk, are absorbing the higher costs instead of passing them on to customers. “If I increase the price, then people are not going to buy,” Rodriguez said, noting that some flower supplies are up 10% to 15%.
Despite these challenges, some customers say they haven’t noticed big price changes yet. Vendors suggest buying gifts early to avoid last-minute price hikes.
This year, tariffs are creating a ripple effect that could make Mother’s Day gifts more expensive, especially from small local shops that rely on imported goods.
