LONGWOOD, Fla. — Black Friday shoppers may notice sales aren’t what they used to be — and for some industries, that’s a result of rising tariffs. One of those includes toys and collectibles.
Lawrence Jorash, lead manager at Acme Superstore, says planning for the shopping weekend takes time.
“We definitely have to stock up on toys ahead of time, so preorders as far back as April, May for stocking up for this time of year,” said Jorash. “You have to have product for Black Friday, it can’t just be come grab all the stuff everybody else didn’t want.”
The business started in 1980. Taking up an entire building in Longwood along State Road 434, the walls and floors are stocked with toys, collectibles, comic books, cards, and more.
Jorash says this year, there was a price difference in shipping and handling costs because of tariffs. It’s a fluctuating number, depending on who and where the products are distributed from.
“We were definitely given a scare ahead of time that there would be delays. I haven’t seen as much of that on anything besides Pokémon,” said Jorash.
That’s why analysts say shoppers may notice a difference in sale prices this weekend.
“The prices, the markups in a lot of these items — particularly the ones with high tariffs — they’re going to be built into the price. In a lot of cases, a 70% discount on an item may not be as much, even though it’s marked off 70%, may not be as significant as a year or two ago,” said Chip Lupo.
Lupo, a writer and analyst for WalletHub, says tariffs will affect overseas items — often electronics or apparel.
“They come into effect only on items that are imported, so once retailers’ shelves are empty and they bring in new imports, once the tariffs are implemented, it’s going to affect those prices,” he said.
As for the team at Acme, they’re expanding their sales — up to 50% off — through the weekend in hopes of bringing in shoppers.
The team also emphasized customer service and creating a connection with collectors who may only visit once or twice a year.
“A little kid this morning came in and he bought his first Ninja Turtle and he freaked out,” shared Jorash. “So, while it is a sales thing, you do also look for those little moments of putting something in someone’s hands for the first time — that’s very rewarding.”
Friday also kicked off a toy fundraiser at Acme, in partnership with Lily’s Warrior Project, to collect new, unwrapped toys for children’s hospitals. The deadline to drop off toys is Dec. 21.