Almost all backyard fireworks are made in China. But as the economy ramps up, supply chains have struggled to keep up. Mark Lazarchic runs about 20 Renaissance Fireworks stores across the metro from his base in Spring Lake Park.
“So China made enough stuff but they just can’t get it over,” said Lazarchic. “You’re talking 50 to 60 percent of the stuff that was ordered this year never even came over.”
Lazarchic says there aren’t enough shipping containers for everything to ramp up at the same time. He says there are also delays at ports because of worker shortages. It’s not just affecting fireworks.
“I mean there’s glass shortages, there’s lumber shortages, there’s everything shortages because everyone started doing more and all of a sudden you’re shipping more stuff from China.”
Last year with many professional displays canceled, consumers put on their own back yard shows in big numbers, creating a boom in sales. The trade group says sales nearly doubled last year to $2 billion nationwide. That left supplies depleted without a promise of fully re-stocking. One result is higher prices.
“Our costs are 20 to 30 percent higher sometimes even more,” said Lazarchic. “Prices just went up everywhere and it’s supply and demand.”
Lazarchic says he anticipated shortages and tried to stock up know people would eventually be scrambling to find product. The bottom line is don’t wait until the last minute.
“Don’t wait until the Fourth. The Fourth is the busiest day of the year. You’re going to stand in line and get the last picking. It’s like buying a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. You’re getting the last that’s left.”
