Are Tariffs Bad For Secondhand Stores ?
Yesterday I read a few articles that got me to thinking… ‘If tariffs make it more expensive, a Lot more expensive to buy clothes from say, China, why not shop at a secondhand store where you can expect to buy clothes for a Lot Less ?’ Well the U.S. imports nearly all of its clothing and shoes from other countries, and that includes China, which President Donald Trump has placed a tariff rate of 145% (or something) on.
If you do the math then you may want to RUN to your local secondhand or re-sale store the next time you need to add to your wardrobe. But why run, why not just leisurely stroll over there? Because you are probably not the only one thinking the same thing, and those stores may soon be hard pressed to get Good Inventory.
According to NPR, “A record 58% of shoppers bought secondhand apparel in 2024, according to ThredUp’s annual Resale Report, released in March. — The report predicts that the market will only continue to grow globally and in the U.S., at least in part due to new government policies around tariffs and trade that are “expected to provide a healthy tailwind to secondhand.””
“It’s reasonable to see or to expect the booming of the secondhand clothing market, or more consumers may wish to purchase secondhand clothing… But I do not think that secondhand clothing will be immune to the tariff impacts.” – Sheng Lu, professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware.
For something to be sold in a Secondhand Store, it first has to be bought new. However Professor Lu and other “experts” are saying that in tough economic times like we are going through right now, Americans will likely be more hesitant both to buy new clothes – and to donate their old ones. Those Secondhand and Resale stores may find it hard to get inventory!
So I’m thinking – ‘If I own a Secondhand store I’m gonn’a have a great few months, and after that things might really start to Suck.’ And if I’m buying at a Resale store to get good quality clothes and save money, I may soon be Out’a Luck! Is that because of Tariffs ?!
Sources:
NPR
VMPlus International