Shein shoppers rush to beat price hikes

Some Jamaican vendors in downtown Kingston have launched a last-minute sprint to restock Shein and other China-sourced goods ahead of an impending price adjustment announced by both Shein and Temu.

The hikes are being driven by rising US tariffs, and the end duty-free exemption for imports of Chinese-origin goods, effective May 2.

Yesterday, in the heart of Kingston's bustling shopping district, stalls once brimming with Shein's US-sourced garments now face the risk of running dry.

Eight-year vendor Jessy Long described the urgency in stark terms.

"Mi nuh waan wait til afta di price hike drop fi replenish mi stock, cause Shein just announce seh everything a go up soon. Mi deh yah hustle pon di latest styles, so mi haffi place bigger order now if mi still waan keep mi customers happy and business stocked," Long said.

She added: "Right now, mi a run round tek advantage a di old price dem. A phone up mi supplier, some people even start use middleman fi cop more before di hike lock in."

According to Long, vendors have nearly doubled their usual weekly restock volumes--jumping from roughly 300 to over 600 pieces this week.

"Mi hear some a di third-party reseller dem a charge extra fee, so if yuh a buy through dem, yuh affi add dat pon yuh cost. But mi nuh really have choice,mi cyaan risk get lef' wid nuttin fi sell."

Accessories, too, are feeling the squeeze.

"Watch how di mark-up gwaan. If mi sell one Michael Kors bag fi $20,000 now, mi haffi prepare seh in two weeks mi a go sell dem fi more than that. Customers affi understand seh di whole supply chain a sweat it out fi meet di demand."

Long, who began her hustle selling bag juice and sweets after school, now operates a stall packed with clothes and accessories. She said she's "never seen anything like this" in her years selling downtown.

Vendors have even formed WhatsApp groups to share supplier tips and survival strategies, bracing for what Long calls a "hurricane" of price shocks.

Both Shein and Temu recently informed US customers of price adjustments to offset "recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs."

Vendors have until this Friday to ship goods under the old de minimis rules and pre-hike rates. After that, even small parcels will face heavy duties. The increases will compound local shipping, customs brokerage, and clearance fees--costs that vendors must now factor into their prices.

Another downtown vendor, Charles, told THE STAR that he sources premium shoes and apparel via contacts in Florida. He explains how he absorbs and recovers higher costs:

"Mi usually link up wid mi friend dem ova inna Florida weh a help mi cop di brand tings Air Max, Gucci belt, Tommy Hilfiger shirts, fi bargain price. Den mi ship dem dung a yard and mark up fi cover cost a draw profit."

Charles builds buffers into every consignment to handle lost packages, and surprise costs.

"Di risk always deh deh, but mi learn fi manage it. Mi always add a small buffer pon mi price, so if any extra charge drop, mi still inna green," he said.