VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Tariffs drive up prices at popular store on Marshall Street
Kayla Racine: On the campus of Syracuse University, the J. Michael Shoes store on Marshall Street is feeling the pressure from new tariffs on imported goods especially those from China and Canada.One Syracuse student says it’s already changing how people shop.
Braylen Tuff: I think a lot more online shopping will be happening.
Racine: The increased wholesale prices are hitting sneakers, jackets, and name-brand clothing. And the store manager has noticed the change.
Colin Smith :Yes, there’s definitely already been some impact on brick-and-mortar retail.”
Racine: To stay competitive, the store has been cutting back on inventory and exploring new suppliers.
Smith: They’re taking preventative measures and making changes.
Racine: Smith added that he hopes this is just temporary and that conditions improve because it’s not just students feeling the squeeze.With fall just around the corner, J. Michael’s hopes loyal customers keep walking through the door even if prices are a little steeper. The question remains: How badly will these tariffs affect students this fall?
Tuff: A new winter coat especially in the summer you can usually get it cheaper.”
Racine: And as the seasons change, students hope the tariffs don’t stay the same. In Syracuse, Kay Racine, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — A longtime local shop on one of the busiest streets near Syracuse University says it’s feeling the impact of rising tariffs and so its customers are too.
Located along Marshall Street, J. Michael’s Shoes has long been a go-to spot for locals, students, and faculty looking for everything from back-to-school shoes to winter coats and seasonal gear. But now, the manager says new tariffs on imported goods are cutting into the store’s bottom line and forcing them to make tough decisions.
“We’ve seen a noticeable jump in the cost of some of our most popular items,” said Colin Smith, the store manager. “We normally have a lot of things on sale in the summer, but without going into too much detail, tariffs have affected us in a negative way.”
The tariffs, which primarily target goods imported from Canada and China, have led to increased wholesale prices on everyday items like sneakers, jackets, and name-brand clothing. While large retailers can sometimes absorb these costs, smaller local businesses often have no choice but to pass them on to customers.
That’s something some students already managing tuition, housing, and other expenses say they’re starting to notice.
“Yeah, it’s hard for us. It’s turning into us doing a lot of online shopping for cheaper prices,” said Braylen Tuff, a part-time employee at the store and a Syracuse University student.
The store has tried to soften the impact by seeking alternate suppliers and reducing nonessential inventory, but prices remain higher than they were just a few months ago.
“Hopefully this is just a temporary thing and it gets better,” Smith said. “This is hurting a lot of students, but businesses as well.”