"Chris Zephro's warehouse full of latex masks, "Saw" movie props, and zombie apocalypse games is a testament to his love of horror. "Horror is not necessarily Halloween. It's really a lifestyle," Zephro said. But the fake blood inside his Santa Cruz, California, warehouse pales in comparison to the real-life cash bleed from his business ever since the Trump administration launched a trade war with China last spring. Zephro's company, Trick or Trick Studios, produces and imports goods that are sold"
"to more than 10,000 retailers around the world, 65% in the United States. He has paid upwards of $800,000 in tariff costs so far this year. The Halloween and Costume Association said roughly 90% of Halloween products contain at least one component made overseas, most often in China. That cost has forced Zephro to lay off 15 employees for the first time since he co-founded his company 15 years ago,"
Chris Zephro's Santa Cruz warehouse stores latex masks, 'Saw' props, and zombie apocalypse games, reflecting his devotion to horror. Tariffs from a US trade war with China have caused a cash bleed for his company, Trick or Trick Studios, which sells to thousands of retailers with 65% of sales in the United States. Zephro has paid up to $800,000 in tariff costs this year and laid off 15 employees. Industry data show about 90% of Halloween products include at least one overseas component, often from China. April tariff hikes, later reduced in May, prompted many importers to halt production, resulting in tighter inventory and higher consumer costs; the NRF projects per-person spending of $114.45, $11 more than last year.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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