The unpredictability involved in doing business with the US has come into sharper relief with the threat of new tariffs being applied to UK exports. And international delivery specialist ParcelHero said Britain’s small businesses “will be the first casualties of [President] Trump’s new Greenland tariff war”.
Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, D.C. (United States), 16 January 2026 – AFP
Any new tariffs come after extra duties were already imposed last year while the de minimis exemption was abolished.
In 2024, the UK exported around $828m-worth of textiles such as clothing to the US. Most of these products will have had a value of under $800 and that de minimis abolition will have had a huge impact.
But even those business selling luxury goods that didn’t previously qualify for zero duties under the de minimis rule have been hit hard already.
ParcelHero said that the UK currently has one of the most favourable US tariff rates of 10%, following a trade deal with the country, but “even so, a UK-made coat costing $800 is already likely to cost US shoppers at least an extra $80 (£60) more than it did at the beginning of 2025, assuming that the UK seller passed on all the tariff costs to their US customers. That may not be the only applicable tariff, however, as it could also attract a further tax depending on the item’s tariff code.”
With the new tariff threat just issued, from the beginning of February, “that same coat could cost American consumers around $960 due to the imposition of a further 10% tariff. More concerningly still, from June it could cost them more than $1,000, as February’s 10% tariff rises to 25%. UK specialist and family-run businesses will struggle to survive in the US market as American shoppers turn to cheaper products from elsewhere”.
Parcelhero thinks Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland will particularly impact small UK businesses — which are less able to absorb extra costs and to have the mega-marketing budgets to cement their desirability in consumers’ minds — disproportionately.
The company’s head of consumer research, David Jinks, said he “agrees with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the imposition of new tariffs on the UK and seven other countries that oppose Trump’s plans to take control of Greenland is ‘completely wrong’.
“Many smaller UK exporters are already reeling from the impact of the 10% tariff imposed on the majority of UK products last year. On top of that came the axing of the US de minimis tariff exemption that previously enabled British goods valued at $800 (around £600) or under to enter America duty free. Britain’s SME manufacturers and exporters are likely to be the first casualties of Trump’s new tariff war. Many smaller UK companies may have to quit the US market entirely if the Greenland tariffs are imposed.
“The US is Britain’s largest single overseas market and in 2024, before Trump announced his ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs in April 2025, around 39,500 UK VAT-registered businesses exported goods to the US. Many of these are SME businesses and marketplace traders that are disproportionately affected by the new tariffs.”
And the company thinks that if the tariffs are applied, it will mean a wider move towards tariffs globally. “Whatever the ongoing impact of new US tariffs, the repeal of its de minimis rules and a potential tit-for-tat trade war over Greenland, we are inevitably looking at a period of continuing volatility and changes to US shipments,” Jinks added.
Long reserved for women or military dress, brooches adorned men’s chests during Milan Fashion Week, a throwback to a bygone era but with jewellery now signalling individuality, not just status.
A brooch by Dolce & Gabbana – Aleksej Shelikhov- Facebook
From huge flowers or watch brooches at Dolce & Gabbana to pins at Armani, the bling passed from hands to jackets during the fall/winter 2026/2027 shows in the Italian city.
“I like these small details, people have to pay attention to them,” said reggaeton star Rauw Alejandro, in the front row at Prada.
Chinese buyer John Chen, 45, sported a gold brooch in the shape of a triangle, the Milanese brand’s logo, on a green sweater just below his neck. “I started wearing brooches about five years ago. I like to play with them” to personalise outfits, he told AFP.
In Armani’s refined yet relaxed collection, some men sported a tie pin on their jacket lapel, while male and female models wore matching sparkling brooches. At designer Rowen Rose, a large orange stone was used to fasten a green or yellow scarf to a matching sweater.
“It gives an extra touch. It’s a good accessory- it’s become very masculine,” said Fabio Annese, a 26-year-old Milanese interior designer sporting a heart-shaped brooch at Dolce & Gabbana.
Known for its extravagant style, D&G has been selling brooches for men since entering the jewellery world in 2015, and they are “still important in more formal collections,” a spokesperson said. Among their offerings are crosses, crowns, scarabs, and flowers in gold and embellished with diamonds, the last costing a cool 7,500 euros (around $8,800).
The trend is in many ways a return to the past. In Europe, until the 18th century, the “most important” jewellery was worn by men, explained Emanuela Scarpellini, professor of contemporary history at the University of Milan.
Wealthy and powerful men used it as a sign of their status, the glittering accessories often signalling membership of a noble family or a religious order, or military rank. It was only with the rise of the middle-classes and businessmen in the 19th century that came “the idea that men should dedicate themselves to work, with a more sober attitude,” Scarpellini said at the launch of a new Milan exhibition.
“The Gentlemen,” on show at the Palazzo Morando until September, reveals how men’s jewellery since then usually served a purpose, such as watches, cufflinks and tie pins. Nowadays “there’s a new freedom,” as with clothing, said exhibition curator Mara Cappelletti, a professor of jewellery history.
“There are fewer jewellery pieces with a function, and more with a freer choice,” she told AFP. “Many of the objects men wear today were not designed for a male audience,” she said, adding that many were vintage. “The brooch has never been so popular.”
Cappelletti noted that the trend was boosted by singers and actors wearing a lot of jewellery, noting a photograph of Italian singer Achille Lauro sporting a huge white gold and diamond sculpted piece on his chest, with matching earrings. All provided by the jeweller Damiani, which sponsors the pop star.
Global beauty business Sephora has announced a strategic, omni-channel partnership with Korean beauty and health retailer CJ Olive Young to bring a wide range of K Beauty products to its global customers.
CJ Olive Young aims to bring K Beauty to global shoppers – Olive Young
The partnership will debut this autumn with omni-channel partnerships set for the US, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, and Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand), Sephora announced in a press release on Tuesday. In 2027, the business will bring the tie-up to the Middle East, the UK, and Australia.
“Korean beauty is one of the most innovative, fastest growing, and desirable categories in beauty right now,” said Sephora’s global chief merchandising officer Priya Venkatesh in a press release. “Sephora was the first major retailer to debut K Beauty brands to North American consumers in 2010, and our portfolio has grown into a global business. We are thrilled to partner with leading Korean beauty retailer Olive Young, bringing their expertly curated assortment of Korean beauty brands to our beauty fans globally. Their differentiated assortment, coupled with Sephora’s unique point of view on the beauty shopping experience, will bring an unrivalled and inspiring offer for all beauty lovers who are keen to explore the most sought-after Korean beauty products.”
Sephora shoppers will be able to browse a dedicated zone curated by CJ Olive Young comprising popular Korean health and beauty brands. The business’ beauty advisor will also offer guidance and assistance to customers to help them find their desired products.
“We are pleased to enter this partnership with Sephora as we continue to advance our global expansion strategy,” said CJ Olive Young’s chief strategy officer Youngah Lee. “As global interest in K-beauty continues to accelerate, we see this collaboration as a meaningful opportunity to work together in expanding the reach of Korean brands in key international markets.”
Big beauty firms continue to open statement stores at key UK destinations with Superdrug now choosing to “significantly upsize” at Merry Hill.
Merryhill
It’s set to double its footprint to 16,000 sq ft at the West Midlands mall creating the brand’s biggest UK store to date.
Planned to open in Q2, Superdrug’s recommitment to Merry Hill is the latest in a series of leading brands to “significantly invest” in the centre, with operator Sovereign Centros/CBRE noting a 3% year-on-year sales boost in the beauty category.
It follows M&S’s 100,000 sq ft flagship store opening in November, which also includes a strong beauty element, while Superdrug sister value beauty brand Savers opened a 5,000 sq ft unit last year, also its largest in the UK so far.
The upsized Superdrug store will feature a more extensive range of the latest beauty products, as well as access to treatments such as ear piercing, manicures, and eyebrow threading.
Clare Jennings, property director at Superdrug, said: “This year, we will continue our programme of refurbishing stores, acquiring new sites and expanding existing stores, with Merry Hill selected as the site for one of our largest Superdrug stores in the UK.
“Choosing Merry Hill for this expansion was ideal, given its strong mix of health and beauty retailers and its position as a super-regional hub in the West Midlands. It’s the perfect location to grow our store and continue serving our loyal Merry Hill customers.”
Politics8 years ago