NEWS
16 MAY 2025 ASIAN TRADER 7
NEWS
In recent weeks, we’ve seen
significant disruption in global
trade patterns following
President Trump’s implemen-
tation of higher tarifs on
Chinese imports to the United
States. The critical question is
whether this influx of Chinese
goods represents an opportuni-
ty or a threat.
The evidence suggests we’re
facing a concerning scenario.
Both Alex Baldock of Currys
and Nick Glynne of Buy It
Direct have reported seeing
early signs of Chinese stock
being diverted to European
markets in what Baldock
described as “a straightforward
dumping way.”
For independent retailers,
already battling online
markets, this represents a
perfect storm. The flood of
Chinese products was prob-
lematic even before the US
tarifs. Now the UK risks
becoming the dumping ground
of choice, particularly through
Temu, Shein, Alibaba, and
Amazon Marketplace.
The core issue isn’t merely
the volume of goods but the
fundamentally uneven playing
field. Our current duty
de-minimis threshold of £135
means billions of products
enter the country duty-free
each year. These items not only
avoid import duties but
frequently circumvent VAT
obligations as well.
Some might argue that
consumers benefit from these
lower prices. While this may
appear true in the short term,
the long-term consequences
paint a bleaker picture. As
independent retailers face this
additional pressure, more high
street shops will close. The
saving on a cheap Chinese
import becomes an illusion
when measured against the
cost to our communities.
For UK manufacturers, the
outlook is equally concerning,
as they face the prospect of
competing against products
dumped at artificially low
prices. This isn’t fair competi-
tion – it’s market distortion that
threatens jobs and businesses.
What should be done? The
answer is clear. First, the
government must remove the
de-minimis threshold entirely,
ensuring all imported goods face
the same duty requirements.
Second, authorities must
enforce VAT regulations to
prevent tax avoidance that gives
online an unfair advantage.
Third, we need stronger
enforcement of safety stand-
ards on all imported products.
For independent retailers,
adaptation remains critical.
Emphasising personal service,
expertise, and community
connection – qualities that
online marketplaces cannot
replicate – will be more
important than ever. At Bira,
we’re working to support our
members through these
challenging times, providing
guidance on diferentiation
strategies and continuing to
lobby for a fairer trading
environment.
The diversion of Chinese
goods from US markets to the
UK following Trump’s tarifs
isn’t merely an economic
footnote – it’s a critical
challenge that demands
immediate attention.
Our message is simple – the
government must act now and
preserve the vital role inde-
pendent retailers play in
communities across Britain.
In his regular column, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre looks at the
effects and challenges of US tariffs forcing cheap Chinese goods onto
our high streets – and what the government should do
The Trump Tarif efect –
The Trump Tarif efect –
Chinese goods and the future
Chinese goods and the future
of Britain’s high streets
of Britain’s high streets
Mondelēz hit by soaring
Mondelēz hit by soaring
cocoa prices
cocoa prices
Mondelēz International, owner of
brands including Cadbury and
Oreo, reported a significant profit
decline in its first quarter results
yesterday, as the company battles
with unprecedented cocoa cost
inflation.
The company’s diluted earnings
per share plummeted by 70.2% to
just $0.31 (£0.23), while adjusted
earnings per share fell by 18.3% on a
constant currency basis to $0.74.
Despite the challenging
environment, the company
managed to deliver a modest 0.2%
increase in net revenues, with
organic net revenue growth of 3.1%,
partially ofset by unfavourable
volume mix, of -3.5%.
First c-store with Royal
First c-store with Royal
Mail locker
Mail locker
Fresh & Proper in Fordham,
Cambridgeshire, has become the
first c-store in the UK to host one of
Royal Mail’s new parcel lockers.
The locker is now available 24/7
for drop of parcels and will expand
to ofer collection. Label printing is
available, meaning customers only
pay postage online and print by
scanning a QR code at the locker, or
request a QR code if they are
returning a purchase.
Royal Mail launched its locker
network in December to meet
growing demand for convenient
parcel drop-of and collection.
PayPoint partners in
PayPoint partners in
voucher scheme
voucher scheme
PayPoint has entered partnership
with Uber and Deliveroo to expand its
digital voucher service for retailers.
It comes as PayPoint has seen a
rise in popularity of digital vouchers,
with more consumers looking for
local and convenient stores as a
one-stop-shop for errands, parcel
services and gifting. Amidst difcult
economic conditions, purchasing
digital vouchers for money
management, alongside gifting, has
increased. In 2024, 93% of PayPoint
retailers processed digital voucher
transactions in their stores.
Customers can buy vouchers
with any amount between £15 and
£150.
By Andrew
Goodacre, CEO
of Bira (British
Independent
Retailers
Association)