Pet supplies are going to get more expensive with these tariffs
We're talking toys, poop bags, leashes, beds
Good evening.
My group chats have been blowing up today about the Trump administration’s tariffs1 on Chinese imports.
It’s hard to overstate just how many items we use every day that are manufactured overseas and imported into the U.S. (In February alone, the U.S. imported about $31.6 billion worth of goods from China, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.)
It’s not immediately clear how pet suppliers will adjust their business plans to account for these tariffs, but the options are clear: Absorb the increased costs and hurt the bottom line, or pass those costs onto the consumer.
Chewy has already warned investors that its supply chain could be negatively impacted by tariffs, given that a “significant portion” of its suppliers are based in China, according to a recent filing submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. A representative for Chewy did not respond to a request for comment, but the company noted in its SEC filing that trade restrictions “could increase the cost or reduce the supply of products available to us and to our suppliers.”
As such, I’d expect major price increases to common pet supplies like toys, beds, crates, collars, leashes, and poop bags. And for items that are manufactured in the U.S., tariffs on raw materials imported from abroad, like plastic, rubber, leather, and lumber, will add to total costs.
Are you seeing price hikes on your pet’s essentials? Let me know: clara@readtailmail.com
In other news…
Those dire wolves aren’t exactly dire wolves. A paleogeneticist told BBC News that the “dire wolves” bred by Colossal Biosciences are more like hybrid grey wolves.
That same company also wants to bring back the dodo bird, woolly mammoth, and Tasmanian tiger. I think we’d need to acknowledge how much the Earth has changed since those species existed.
More people are raising chickens in their backyard for eggs, but local city governments are trying to figure out how to regulate the practice. Don’t forget about bird flu…
Having a dog or cat can be as good for your wellbeing as having a spouse or huge promotion, according to a new study out of the U.K. Researchers said the value of having a furry companion could boost your mood in the same way as having £70,000, or about $90,000, extra a year. (Jokes on me because I’m already spending most of my paycheck on my dogs.)
Thanks for reading! I’ll see you later this week.
Since publishing this newsletter, Trump has increased the tariffs against Chinese goods to 145%. Good grief.
