A Leeds couple say life is "hard" as the price of sweets has shot up by at least "20 per cent" during the cost of living crisis.
Karina Mihailova and Vadim Packovskij, originally from Latvia, have been running online Yummy Treats Store from their home in Belle Isle. They now have to import sweets from America due to Brexit and “70 per cent” of their outgoings are on energy alone.
The couple have one child and have lived in Leeds for 12 years. More recently, they're been taking their products to car boot sales across the city.
Read more: People in Leeds' richest village will 'layer up' to combat skyrocketing energy bills
Speaking of the current economic crisis, Karina said: “It’s affected the price of sweets by about 20 per cent. We’re not in the EU anymore so these sweets are coming from America.
“It’s been hard during the cost of living crisis, of course, there’s lots of competition everywhere. We try to be creative and try to be in control. It doesn’t affect us as much.
“So many people after Covid have tried to be self-employed and make businesses.”
Vadim said: “The petrol and electricity makes up 70 per cent of our outgoings."
The couple can’t afford to run the business full time and have other full time jobs. Karina works as a beauty therapist and Vadim manufactures building products.
They’ve been selling sweets since 2022 and have taken the shop on the road more recently, visiting car boot sales across the city.
Karina has implored more people to visit their local car boot sales. She said: “You get to see different people, you have people coming with their kids and atmosphere is relaxing. In one day, you can see so many people.
“You can always find something. I’m not a person who usually buys things but when you look around, you can always find things. If you come in a nice mood, you’re always going to find things.
“When people are in a bad mood, you can come around and see something which you can’t find on the internet.”
Read next:
- Life in Leeds' shoplifting hotspot where teens steal in groups and drinkers grab 'whatever'
- Worried Leeds parents struggling on benefits can't sleep
- Struggling Leeds mum-of-eight forced to feed family 'beans on toast for tea'
- Struggling Leeds car boot sellers say 'times are tough' as customers demand 50p bargains
- Number of people looking for affairs soars 169% thanks to cost of living
