Category: Insurance

North Carolina’s local makers are under pressure. From Black Mountain to Beaufort, artisans, retailers, and craftspeople are doing more with less; facing higher supply costs, smaller margins, and stiff competition from national and online brands.

At Gild Insurance, we see what’s at stake. These aren’t just businesses. They are the soul of North Carolina’s communities. If we don’t act now to support and protect them, we risk losing the creative energy and local character that makes this state thrive.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to shop small North Carolina and to understand what these makers are really up against.

Shop Small North Carolina to Keep Local Businesses Thriving

Nearly 99.6% of all North Carolina businesses are small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. But many of these shops, especially locally made brands, are at risk.

Here’s why:

• Tariff hikes on imported materials like textiles, metals, and ceramics are raising costs for artists, crafters, and manufacturers across the state.
• Small businesses don’t have the same bulk-buying power or storage capacity as national chains, making cost fluctuations harder to absorb.
• Local economic activity is directly tied to small business spending. For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the community (Forbes).

If we want to keep the heart of North Carolina’s economy beating, we must shop small North Carolina and invest in the makers who power our communities.

To help small businesses respond to rising costs and operational strain, Gild created the free Survive Tariffs Runbook. This downloadable guide is packed with practical tips, cost-saving strategies, and insurance insights tailored for makers and retailers navigating today’s volatile market. From sourcing alternatives to managing shipping risks, the Runbook gives local business owners the tools to adapt without losing momentum.

Why Tariffs Are Squeezing North Carolina Makers

The most recent round of U.S. tariffs, set to take effect in 2024 and 2025, is hitting product categories that impact thousands of local retailers and artists:

• Toys and children’s goods
• Textiles and apparel
• Kitchenware, ceramics, and home décor
• Tools and industrial parts

Without action, more independent shops and makers will be priced out of their markets. The best protection? At Gild Insurance, we believe that it is a combination of smart financial planning, localized supply strategies, and business insurance designed to minimize disruption.

How Gild Insurance Helps Local Makers Stay in Business

Tariffs and supply chain disruptions aren’t just budget issues. They’re business continuity risks. If a shipment is delayed, damaged, or stolen, many small shops can’t afford the hit.

Gild Insurance helps North Carolina makers plan ahead with:

• General liability insurance for third-party injuries or property damage
• Business Owner’s Policies (BOPs) that bundle liability and property coverage
• Inland marine insurance to protect tools and inventory in transit

If something does go wrong, Gild’s Claims Concierge is ready to help fast-track your recovery—whether you’re repairing storm damage, handling a property loss, or navigating a customer claim.

Protect What You’ve Built Before It’s Too Late

Whether you’re a maker or a supporter of local businesses, your choices matter. Small shops shape our neighborhoods, create jobs, and preserve the creative spirit that makes North Carolina unique. But they can’t do it alone. Here is what you can do to help:

✅ Support your local shops this season

📘 Download the Survive Tariffs Runbook to start implementing smarter cost strategies and prepare for pricing instability before it impacts your bottom line

📞 Schedule a call with a Gild Insurance agent today or get your quote online in minutes. Don’t wait until another shipment is delayed or a claim derails your business. Protect it now.

Tariffs are tightening the squeeze on small businesses in Texas. For retailers in sporting goods, toys, and home goods, the pressure is building fast. In 2023, Texas imported $92 billion worth of goods from China and $107 billion from Mexico, but with Texas small business tariffs now hitting both sources, costs are rising, and margins are shrinking

Whether you’re managing tight inventory or trying to stay competitive against big-box retailers, the trade landscape is shifting—and fast. At Gild Insurance, we’re here to help you face it head-on with the tools, protection, and practical strategies outlined in our Survive Tariffs runbook to help your business stay resilient.

Let’s take a closer look at how Texas small business tariffs are affecting retailers and what you can do right now to reduce your risk.

The Real Impact of Texas Small Business Tariffs on Retailers

Retailers importing products like yoga mats, dumbbells, or children’s toys are facing an uphill battle. Tariffs on Chinese imports have fluctuated significantly, at times reaching levels that substantially increase costs—particularly for small businesses that lack the purchasing power and profit margins of larger competitors. Even at the low end, Chinese tariffs remain above 30%. 

Many are also grappling with supply chain slowdowns at Gulf Coast ports, making restocking difficult and expensive. And in regions near the border, price-sensitive customers are shopping in Mexico, adding another layer of competition that favors big-box stores.

For small businesses in cities like Houston and Dallas, where they play a vital economic role, these tariffs are not just a nuisance—they’re a threat to survival.

3 Ways Texas Retailers Can Stay Resilient

If you’re in retail—especially in toys, sporting goods, or home décor—here are a few actionable strategies to consider:

• Diversify Sourcing: Shift more of your imports to Mexico or other tariff-exempt countries to reduce reliance on Chinese goods.
• Blend Domestic Inventory: Integrate U.S.-made products into your offerings. They may have higher sticker prices but can offer stability and branding advantages.
• Adopt Lean Inventory Practices: Use just-in-time inventory systems and smarter demand forecasting to avoid tying up cash in overstocked, high-tariff goods.

These tactics won’t eliminate risk but they will give your business more control in an unpredictable environment.

How Inland Marine Insurance Helps You Handle Texas Small Business Tariffs

When importing goods or managing a mobile inventory, there’s one more step you can take to shield your business: Inland Marine Insurance.

Unlike standard property policies, Inland Marine Insurance covers:

• Goods in transit
• Inventory stored offsite
• High-value movable property

If a shipment is delayed, damaged, or stolen on its way to your retail floor, you’ll be glad to have this extra layer of protection. And in the current tariff climate, that peace of mind is worth its weight in gold. Schedule a time to talk to an agent and get the protection your business deserves

Stay Protected with Gild Insurance

While you can’t control international trade policy, you can control how you protect your inventory and manage your risk. At Gild Insurance, we specialize in helping small businesses like yours stay resilient through changing times—with insurance solutions that work the way you do.

Want to learn more?

👉Download the Tariffs Runbook today to stay informed, stay protected, and stay ahead. 

👉Want personalized help? Schedule a call with Gild Insurance and discover smarter ways to protect your business—now and into the future