Local small businesses struggle as shipping costs surge with rising gas prices

When new shipments arrive at Flirt Women’s Boutique, it’s usually a moment of excitement for both employees and customers. But lately, those deliveries have come with a higher price tag.

Jackie and her business partner have spent more than two decades in retail. In the past five years, they’ve faced major challenges — including pandemic shutdowns, supply chain disruptions and uncertainty tied to tariffs. Now, rising shipping costs are adding new pressure.

“I’m finding like I can get merchandise from Canada cheaper than I can from California which in my mind, that’s just crazy,” Jackie said.

Those increases are largely tied to climbing gas prices, creating a ripple effect for small businesses trying to stay competitive.

“Shipping costs are crazy,” Jackie said. “Even if I am just shipping a shirt that is under a pound through UPS, even if this going two states away, it is $28.”

Still, Jackie hopes there could be a silver lining.

“Hopefully the cost of gas and the cost of shipping is going to be bringing more people into brick and mortar,” she said.

At Learning Express in Blue Bell, crowds gathered on Thursday, April 8, as customers lined up to get one of the hottest toys in decades — the NeeDoh.

Moments like these might suggest booming business. But even strong sales can’t offset rising costs.

“We have already seen shipping prices go up especially with a hot product often you want to fly things in,” Brant said.

Brant said the popularity of the toy has her store on track for a record-breaking year. But higher fuel costs are cutting into profits and complicating future planning.

“I was anticipating big sales at Easter time so I loaded up so for a little while we’re fine. We’re starting to order for  June and July, there is a shortage of product now too because it is so popular, now we’re thinking, how much should we order? What will those prices be like? Brant said.

For now, business owners said they are absorbing the higher costs while encouraging customers to shop locally.

“A lot of places right now are charging for returns, whereas before they didn’t,” Jackie said.