The future of M&S’s Percy Pig sweets in the US could be in jeopardy as Donald Trump imposes a 10% tariff on imports from the UK.
The popular confectionery brand, which sells 18.7 million bags a year in the UK across its range, has recently launched in Target stores in the US.
In comments reported first by The Guardian, M&S chairman Archie Norman said it was the retailer’s “gift to America” but added “we might have to change our minds”.
Norman was commenting at the Retail Technology Show in London on Wednesday, hours before Trump confirmed plans for a 10% tariff on UK imports from 5 April.
They were among worldwide tariffs unleashed by the US president on his so-called ‘Liberation Day’, including 20% on imports from the EU.
It is feared the 10% on UK goods could impact sales of products such as Percy Pig in the US.
As revealed by The Grocer yesterday, Norman also warned at the conference that a ban on advertising products high in fat, sugar or salt before the 9pm watershed from October “probably means we can’t run a Christmas ad”.
“This country is regulating to stop people talking about mince pies during the day,” he said.
“You won’t be able to run an ad that includes Christmas pudding, your mince pies or sausages.”
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