North Carolina small business owners on how tariffs are negatively impacting their bottom line

February 16, 2026 - 22:16

As couples across North Carolina prepare for Valentine's Day, the small business owners who supply the holiday's staples are facing a less romantic reality: rising costs due to sustained import tariffs. The price of classic gifts, particularly flowers and chocolates, is being directly impacted, squeezing profit margins for local shops and forcing tough decisions.

Florists report significant increases in the cost of imported blooms, a sector heavily reliant on global trade. These added expenses cannot always be passed fully to the consumer, cutting deeply into already slim profits. Similarly, chocolatiers and confectionery shops are grappling with higher prices for imported cocoa, sugar, and specialty ingredients essential for their Valentine's assortments.

The cumulative effect is a strained bottom line for these community businesses during what should be a peak sales period. Owners express concern that between elevated wholesale prices and potential customer pushback on higher retail tags, the season's financial promise is diminished. Many are absorbing a portion of the costs to remain competitive, a strategy that is unsustainable in the long term. This Valentine's Day, for many local entrepreneurs, the backdrop to the bouquets and chocolate boxes is one of increased financial pressure and uncertainty.