WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Wine retailers in Southeastern North Carolina are experiencing varied impacts from a 15% tariff on European wines that went into effect in August.
Market House Beer and Wine has seen bottle sales increase significantly this week, according to their general manager. The increase in sales is happening at the same time the store is receiving notices from distributors warning of price increases in the new year.
“We’ve gotten a lot of notices from our distributors that it will increase in the new year more than right now,” general manager Sydney Shopp said. “It is definitely something that we’re not super excited for. Some of the wines are going up by like 20% which is a lot.”
The store has not raised prices yet, as their distributors are taking on the costs currently. However, Shopp expects customers may face increases of a dollar or two on favorite bottles in the new year. Certain wines that only come from Europe, like Sancerre and Chianti, are likely going to be the most impacted.
At Wendy’s Wine House, a shop attendant said they so far have not received similar warnings from their distributors about price increases.
“We have not seen a huge increase in those prices,” Sandy King said. “We hope we don’t because we want to keep our prices friendly for our customers. So we will continue to watch that.”
If prices do increase, King encourages customers to try domestic alternatives to save.
“I believe we can still satisfy individuals who love wine and maybe help them find something that’s close to what they’ve enjoyed before that may have been imported,” King said.
Both businesses encouraged customers to stock up now if they’re nervous about the price increases. They also encourage people supporting small local businesses, saying local retailers will see the biggest impact if tariffs have a large effect on the industry.
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