As tariffs raise US product prices, second -hand clothing industry begins to reap the benefits of pricing – giving a global trend that has gained strength in recent years.
The idea of buying second hand, or change parts Among friendsbegan in recent years to gain popularity, especially among consumers of generation Z. The trend was born in the Nordic countries, passed east Europe and descended to Spain and Portugal.
However, in the United States, something happened.
In February, the President Donald Trump He first imposed a 10% rate on Chinese products.
Since then, the two countries have been trigger retaliatory rates Against the other, in a barracks without barracks – and at this time, the US fare about products imported from China is 145%, China maintains a 125% tariff over American products.
A week ago, he expired in the United States, a commercial gap at the shelter of which retailers did not have to pay taxes Import or Rights on “Low Cost Products” – Remittances evaluated in less than 725 euros.
The gap was especially favorable to FAST FASHION GIANTS like Shein and Tempu, which previously could send ultra-low cost articles from China directly to US customers without paying any tax.
Price increases
Millions of American consumers were attracted to these stores online for your affordable products and settlementsoffering very low prices and Massive Promotions.
But both companies recently announced that they would go as a result of tariffs – which could Help the clothing stores in 2nd Handwhich will probably be a cheaper alternative.
“We are already seeing a slowdown in consumption and spending In the US ”, explains Danielle TestAssistant Professor at the Institute of Design and Fashion Merchandising at Arizona State University, to.
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index has dropped almost 20 points from the beginning from the year to 52.2 in April, its lowest level since 2022, when inflation reached 9%.
“A lot of our clothes come from outside the USvery little is manufactured in the US, so we expect price increases in all fashion products, which will lead people to some second -hand options because they get around the tariffs if they are already in the US clothing market, ”explains Testa.
According to the American Association of Clothing and Footwear, only about 3% of clothing and shoes in the US are manufactured internally. The rest is predominantly imported from China, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh and other countries – all of which now face tariffs.
“During periods of economic uncertaintyconsumers are looking for value, and second hand purchase often increases, ”he says David EaglesDirector of Operations of Goodwill Industries International, to Insider.
“Economic pressures tend to intensify the Focus on smart spending And significant donations, so we hope that interest in secondhand purchases will increase, driven by both economic and sustainability factors. ”
However, the second hand market is already growing markedly. It provides for reaching 66.4 billion euros By 2028 in the US and 318.2 billion euros globally, above 179.1 billion euros in 2023.
Slow down
With prices probably increasing it further, US consumers will soon be forced to look for options outside the industry of fast fashion.
Thredup was one of the voices that defended the end of the minimis exemptioncalling him “a critical step to address the unsustainable flow of ultra-fast fashion for the US” in a recent statement.
“We cannot be going through things so quickly, between producing them, using them, or sometimes not even using them, before they discard them,” he says Patsy PerryFashion Marketing Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, to Insider.
“We really need Keep things in use longerotherwise it is a complete waste of all resources“Perry adds.
Marketing teacher lists the steps that are part of the clothing clothing, including the Obtaining raw materialsproduction in a factory, Transport of finished productand all people involved in the different stages of the supply chain.
“Recycling is not yet a solutionBecause we don’t have large -scale technology, ”says Perry.“ In addition, retailers who produce clothes from recycled materials are usually beyond the average consumer budget.
However, like everything that becomes fashionable, the purchase of second hand clothes now has a problem: Prices are also increasing.
“I have been buying second hand for years, but now that it is fashionable, Everything is getting more expensive“He told Zap a consumer.” At first, a pound of clothes cost about 10 euros, now you can’t buy it for less than 20. “
Changing pieces between friends… continues to be free.
