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Title: How Rising Tariffs Are Shaking Up the Music Merch Business: ‘I Almost Had a Heart Attack’
As the music industry continues to evolve and adapt to an ever-changing landscape, one often overlooked but crucial aspect has been thrown into chaos: the music merchandise business. In light of recent tariff increases on imported goods, artists and their teams are scrambling to adjust their strategies in response.
According to Steve Knopper, journalist and expert in the field, “the rising tariffs have left many in the industry feeling like they’re stuck in a never-ending nightmare.” He continued, “The uncertainty is palpable, and it’s having a significant impact on those who rely heavily on merch sales. I’ve seen artists’ merchandise revenue drop as much as 30% due to these changes.”
This shift can be attributed to several factors, including the drastic increase in tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on imported goods from countries such as China and Mexico. “The music industry is no stranger to adaptability,” notes Knopper, “but this sudden change has left many artists questioning their business models.”
Chris Eggertsen contributed to this report
Source: https://www.billboard.com/pro/trump-tariffs-affecting-music-merch-industry/
