CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Even though the price of fireworks has not gone up in the Coastal Bend, sales are down.
3NEWS found one fireworks stand operator, Jason Perez from Mr. W's Fireworks on Weber Road, who thinks it's inflation that is keeping people from buying.
"We're seeing a little slump in sales," Perez said. "It seems like the high prices, the economy, people having a lot less disposable income and we're kind of feeling that on things like this, on non-necessary items."
Imports of fireworks reached a peak in 2022 of almost $600 million, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. But today, just two years later, fireworks imports will only reach about $350 million.
Perez said his prices have stayed flat.
"For the last few years our prices have not gone up," he said. "Every year, or every season, which is twice a year, we get a new pricing list and we make sure we update our pricing on the shelves and we have not seen an increase in any products."
Some analysts say the cancellation of public fireworks displays during the pandemic led to an increase in sales but now people have pulled away from buying.
3NEWS surveyed some drivers and most have scaled back or stopped buying fireworks altogether.
"We just don't buy them anymore and the prices are high too," resident Melissa Lugo said.
"No one to buy them for this year; my wife's working, the kids are off all doing their thing," another resident, James Mathison, said.
Perez said to look for deals anywhere you buy fireworks for the best prices.