How Tariffs Are Changing Reselling in 2026 (And Why Secondhand Sellers Win)

If you've noticed retail prices creeping up on everything from sneakers to kitchen appliances, you're not imagining things. The latest round of tariffs on imported goods is hitting consumer products hard in 2026 — and it's sending a wave of shoppers straight into the secondhand market.

For resellers, this is the most favorable macro environment in years. Here's what's actually happening, which categories are affected most, and how to position your reselling business to capture buyers who are switching from new to used.

The Numbers: Why This Matters for Resellers

ThredUp's 2026 Resale Report tells the story in one statistic: 59% of consumers say tariff-driven price increases will push them toward secondhand. Among Millennials, that number jumps to 69%. These aren't hypothetical "maybe" shoppers — these are people actively looking for alternatives as retail prices climb.

The broader market context makes this even more compelling:

• The US secondhand market grew 14% in 2024, with online resale growing 23%
• A record 58% of shoppers bought secondhand in 2024 — the highest ever recorded
• The US secondhand market is projected to reach $74 billion by 2029 (9% annual growth)
• Online resale alone is projected to nearly double to $40 billion by 2029
• The global secondhand apparel market is on track to hit $367 billion by 2029

In short: the pie is getting bigger, tariffs are accelerating the trend, and resellers who position themselves correctly are going to capture a disproportionate share of that growth.

Which Categories Are Hit Hardest (And Where Resellers Win)

Not all product categories are equally affected by tariffs. The biggest price increases are concentrated in goods manufactured overseas — which is exactly where resellers already have an inventory advantage.

Electronics

Consumer electronics manufactured in China (which is most of them) are seeing 10–20% retail price increases across the board. Smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, smart home devices, and computer peripherals are all climbing. Buyers who would have bought new are now comparison shopping on eBay and Mercari for used alternatives.

Your play: Source working electronics at thrift stores, garage sales, and estate sales. Even older-model smart home devices (Echo Dots, Google Homes, Ring cameras) sell quickly because they're functionally identical to current models and buyers know it. Test everything before listing — plug it in, confirm it works, and photograph the setup screens.

Sneakers and Athletic Footwear

Athletic footwear manufactured in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia is seeing significant price pressure. Nike, Adidas, and New Balance retail prices are up 8–15% on average. This pushes price-conscious buyers toward the used and "gently worn" market — and drives up resale prices on the platforms where you sell.

Your play: This is a rising-tide moment for sneaker resellers. Shoes you sourced for $5–15 at thrift stores are now worth 15–20% more on Depop, eBay, and Poshmark than they were six months ago. If you have sneaker inventory sitting, reprice it upward. And source aggressively — the margin buffer on sourced sneakers is wider than it has been in years.

Outdoor Gear and Technical Apparel

Premium outdoor brands — Patagonia, Arc'teryx, The North Face, Columbia — rely heavily on overseas manufacturing for technical fabrics and Gore-Tex membranes. Retail prices on these brands have been climbing steadily, making secondhand the obvious entry point for buyers who want quality gear without paying $400+ for a new shell jacket.

Your play: The Gorpcore fashion trend (outdoor gear worn as streetwear) was already printing money for resellers. Tariff-driven retail price increases are adding fuel. A vintage Patagonia fleece you pick up for $8 at Goodwill is now worth $60–120 on Depop depending on the pattern and era. See our Summer 2026 Reselling Trends guide for specific brands and styles to target.

Home Goods and Kitchen

Cookware, small appliances, and home decor manufactured overseas are seeing price increases that make secondhand versions more attractive than ever. A new KitchenAid stand mixer that was $349 is now approaching $400. A used one in excellent condition selling for $180–220 on eBay looks very appealing to a buyer who was going to buy new.

Your play: Estate sales and thrift stores are goldmines for quality kitchen and home items. Cast iron (Lodge, Le Creuset, vintage Griswold), Pyrex, and small appliances are moving faster and at higher prices than pre-tariff. Always test electrical items before listing.

How to Adjust Your Pricing

The most immediate action you can take: check your current listings and reprice upward in categories affected by tariffs. Many resellers set prices months ago based on comps that no longer reflect the current market. Retail prices have moved — and resale prices should follow.

The "New vs. Used Gap" Sweet Spot

The best resale prices happen when your used item sits in the sweet spot: significantly cheaper than the new retail price, but priced to reflect the quality and condition. As retail prices climb, that gap widens in your favor. An item that was 40% below retail six months ago might now be 50% below retail — making it even more attractive to buyers while still earning you a higher absolute dollar amount.

Sourcing Opportunities Created by Tariffs

Tariffs create sourcing opportunities that most resellers miss:

Retail Clearance Gets Better

Retailers sitting on pre-tariff inventory are clearing it out before repricing. This creates unusually deep clearance racks at Target, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and outlet stores. Items you can buy at 70% off retail and flip at 40% below the new (higher) retail price represent some of the widest margins available in retail arbitrage right now.

Donations Increase

When people replace items with cheaper versions or downgrade in response to price pressure, the old items go to thrift stores. Quality donations tend to increase during periods of economic uncertainty, which means better sourcing opportunities at your local Goodwill and Salvation Army.

International Sourcing Shifts

For resellers who buy wholesale or from liquidation pallets, tariffs change the math on which product categories offer the best margins. Categories with the highest tariff exposure (electronics, apparel, footwear) also tend to have the highest resale demand — creating opportunity if you can source at pre-tariff or wholesale pricing.

Positioning Your Listings for Tariff-Conscious Buyers

Buyers switching from new to secondhand are different from your typical resale customer. They're not bargain hunters by nature — they're value seekers who got priced out of retail. Here's how to appeal to them:

• Emphasize condition. These buyers are used to buying new. Detailed condition notes, close-up photos of any flaws, and honest descriptions build the trust they need to buy used for the first time.
• Photograph professionally. Clean backgrounds, good lighting, and multiple angles. First-time secondhand buyers need to feel like they're shopping in a store, not a garage sale. See our iPhone photography guide for tips.
• Include retail price context. In your descriptions, mention what the item retails for new. "Retails for $389 new — this one is in excellent condition with light wear" helps buyers quantify the value.
• Ship fast and package well. Buyers accustomed to Amazon Prime expect quick, professional shipping. Same-day or next-day shipping with clean packaging converts first-time secondhand buyers into repeat customers.

The Long View: Why This Trend Has Staying Power

Even if tariffs are adjusted, reduced, or restructured, the behavioral shift they're triggering has lasting effects. Once a buyer discovers that a $180 secondhand KitchenAid works just as well as a $400 new one, they don't go back to paying retail. The tariff environment is converting millions of new customers into secondhand shoppers — and those customers will continue buying used long after the policy details change.

The secondhand market was already growing at 9% annually before tariffs. This is an accelerant on an existing trend, not a temporary blip. Position your reselling business to serve these new buyers and you're building on structural demand, not a fad.

Action Items: What to Do This Week

• Audit your current listings in electronics, footwear, outdoor gear, and kitchen — reprice upward based on current sold comps
• Source harder in tariff-affected categories — the margin gap between thrift pricing and resale pricing is wider than it's been in years
• Hit retail clearance at Target, TJ Maxx, and outlet stores for pre-tariff inventory being cleared at deep discounts
• Upgrade your listing quality — better photos, detailed conditions, and retail price context to appeal to first-time secondhand buyers
• Ship fast and package professionally — these new buyers expect an Amazon-quality experience

The reselling landscape has always rewarded sellers who pay attention to macroeconomic trends. Right now, the macro is saying one thing very clearly: secondhand is about to get a lot bigger, and the sellers who are ready will capture the growth.