Riverside, Mo. (KCTV) – Fireworks stands across the Kansas City metro are reporting strong crowds ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, with several retailers saying prices have remained largely unchanged from last year despite tariffs, rising shipping costs and higher fuel prices.
How retailers kept prices stable
Joe DiGiovanni, owner of Blogin Quality Fireworks in Riverside, said he imports directly from China and locks in orders in November and December — well before peak shipping season — which allowed him to hold prices steady.
“My prices pretty much stayed the same as last year,” DiGiovanni said. “I eat a little bit of the profit just to keep it affordable for the American public — and just try to sell more.”
DiGiovanni has operated at his Riverside location for 32 years.
Tariff refunds offer relief
With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday and the United States marking its 250th anniversary, retailers said they are expecting one of their biggest weekends in years.(KCTV)
Tariffs on Chinese-made fireworks surged last year, at one point topping more than 100 percent following Liberation Day levies. After the Supreme Court struck down some of those tariffs earlier this year, some retailers said they are receiving significant money back.
“I’m getting over half of my tariff check I had to cut back, refunded to me — because they lost at the Supreme Court,” said Christian Jones, owner of Pat Riot’s Shawnee Fireworks, which operates four locations, three on the Kansas side and one in Missouri.
Shipping costs up for some
Not every retailer had the advantage of early ordering. Teri Eickhoff, co-owner of Save-U-More Fireworks in Kansas City, Kansas, said prices at her stand did not increase dramatically, but shipping costs were a factor.
“I would say probably, I think we saw maybe about a 20% increase in shipping,” Eickhoff said. “That’s just kind of like what I’m seeing as far as that.”
With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday and the United States marking its 250th anniversary, retailers said they are expecting one of their biggest weekends in years.(KCTV)
Eickhoff said heavier items appeared to absorb more of the shipping cost increase than lighter ones, and that the 20 percent rise in shipping did not translate to a 20 percent increase on individual items, since shipping represents only a portion of total product cost.
Big weekend expected
With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday and the United States marking its 250th anniversary, retailers said they are expecting one of their biggest weekends in years. DiGiovanni said America-themed products have been selling well.
One shopper at the Riverside stand said the spending felt familiar.
“I’m spending the same amount so it’s probably a little less, but I think we still got a good little selection,” the shopper said.
Jones said factors including the 250th anniversary, the FIFA World Cup in Kansas City and higher travel costs may be keeping more people close to home this holiday.
One reminder for Kansas City, Missouri residents: fireworks are prohibited within city limits.
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