Some local clothing stores are trying on new strategies to keep costs down and customers happy amid the escalating trade war. Canada is planning retaliatory tariffs on some textiles come September, after trade talks broke down this month. Retail analyst Bruce Winder said the economic battle with the U.S. likely won’t have a major impact on clothing costs across the board because most clothing is made and shipped from countries other than the U.S. “You need to find out what your customer wants and get it for them,” Winder said. “Having said that,” he added, “there is some discretion there with smaller boutiques in terms of who they source from, and in the short term, they might end up switching some sourcing to Canadian brands or offshore brands to avoid the tariffs.” Whyte Avenue’s Bamboo Ballroom said it has had to cut some ties while stocking its storeroom. “We have had to make some harsher decisions to drop certain brands that just aren’t worth it,” Marci Saavedra, Bamboo Ballroom assistant manager, said. “We’re trying our hardest not to raise costs for our customers, so it really is just narrowing down what’s worth it, what’s high quality and what are people going to like.” Nettle’s Tale, on 124 Street, said it has avoided the worst of the trade dispute, since almost all its clothing is made in British Columbia. However, it has not been unscathed. “We do have a lot of Canadian-based, B.C-based suppliers, obviously their products aren’t necessarily made in Canada,” said Hannah Ackeral, Nettle’s Tale E-Commerce Manager. “North America doesn’t really have the infrastructure for that. They really outsourced it, and now we’re really feeling that now,” she added. “There have been fabrics that we’ve used for years that we had to replace with other alternatives that we could get more locally.” Not all clothing is set to see costs increase should Canada’s Sept. 8 tariffs go ahead. Only suits, overcoats, dresses, jackets and trousers will be subject to a 25 per cent tariff. Winder said it’s a strategy to minimise the impact on local producers, while sending a message down south. “It’s sort of like solving a Rubik’s cube,” he added. “You have to find the right categories that will put pressure on the Trump administration, but also not hurt Canadian manufacturers or Canadian consumers too much.” Both Bamboo Ballroom and Nettle’s Tale said they will be factoring in any new duties or taxes and may have to leave some U.S. brands on the cutting room floor. “Will a customer buy a dress that’s $150? Maybe,” Ackeral said. “Will they buy a $300 dress? Maybe not.” “It costs too much with import and tax fees, which means we would have to raise the prices in store,” Saavedra said. “It’s unfair to the customer, and that’s what we don’t want. “We have a very good following and relationship with our customers and we plan to keep it that way.” With files from CTV News Edmonton Miriam Valdes-Carletti
