Brits R Us owner discusses tariff concerns on European imports

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Alan Greaves has run Brits R Us for 14 years, selling different foods, snacks and products from different parts of Europe, especially from the United Kingdom and Ireland. A business he has enjoyed sharing with the community.

“A lot of people coming in, they’ve seen something on TV, they’ve seen something in a British tv show, or they’ve seen something on Great British Bake-Off,” he told us. “We have seven freezers over there full of rashes, sausages, meat pies, steak, any pies, Cornish pasties, black & white pudding. All that kind of stuff that people want from home.”

Now, however, there is a specific issue that has been on his mind for a while now: tariffs. Not too long ago, the Trump Administration announced worldwide tariffs, including 10% on the U.K. and 20% on the European Union.

Right now, there is a 90-day pause on those tariffs placed on most imports, but if the tariffs do go into effect, Greaves told us they’ll hit customers’ wallets.

“I think what a lot of American people don’t understand is, it’s them who are going to be paying this tariff. It’s not me, it’s not my suppliers, it’s the end user because everything is going to go up,” Greaves said. “I’m already getting notifications from suppliers that ‘hey, your next delivery is going to have a 20% tariff charge added on to the invoice.’”

In addition, should there be an increase in the cost of shipping the goods to western Mass, that would mean Greaves would have to increase the prices of those items in the store. Something he and many customers he has spoken with are nervous about.

“I’ve had people come in and going to take a case of Heinz beans before the tariff hits. Comments like that. And other people have asked how it’s going to affect me.”

Greaves tells us his store is moving to a new location across the street at the end of the month, and while he does not deny his worry about the future several months from now, he is focusing on the business to the best of his ability and trying to remain optimistic.

“My hope is that this goes away. That people see sense, that people see the tariffs don’t work. They work short-term, they don’t work long-term,” Greaves said.

Greaves thanks all of his customers for the support during these uncertain times and plans to continue doing what he loves: selling products that give the public a taste of Europe.