Operators of secondhand marketplaces, dealing in everything from footwear to home goods, anticipate that concerns over tariff-related price increases will drive more consumers to explore resold items. OfferUp, a popular marketplace, has observed a significant surge in searches for items like Apple (AAPL) AirPods, washer/dryers, and couches, with demand spiking to ten times the usual levels, according to company executives.

OfferUp Chief Business Officer Nathan Garnett stated, “The data ‘makes it clear that something is happening.’ We’re probably at the very leading edge of seeing actual impact on the resale marketplace from these tariffs and consumers starting to search for alternative ways of finding things that they want.”

Secondhand market Poised for Growth

The secondhand market in the U.S. generated approximately $53 billion in revenue in 2023,according to Capital One. About one-third of all clothing purchases in the U.S. within the last year were secondhand items.

“More consumers are turning to secondhand as a way of hedging against price rises and potential product shortages.”

A recent poll by ThredUp, an online thrift and consignment platform, revealed that most respondents were concerned about trade policies leading to higher apparel costs. The majority indicated they would seek alternatives, such as secondhand goods, to offset these rising prices.

Neil Saunders,a retail analyst and managing director at GlobalData Retail,noted,”More consumers are turning to secondhand as a way of hedging against price rises and potential product shortages. As we move into key retail occasions like back to school and the holiday celebrations beyond, secondhand will likely surge in popularity.”

OfferUp, boasting over 40 million users in the U.S., reported a surge in searches during May for smartphones, appliances, tech gadgets, and electric bikes. Strollers have emerged as the most searched product category recently. Baby products are particularly susceptible to tariffs, given that most infant merchandise sold in the U.S. is imported, mainly from china.

Garnett suggests that awareness of potential shortages or price increases often stimulates interest in specific product categories. This could explain the increased searches for iPhones on OfferUp, especially after President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of tariffs on smartphones manufactured outside the U.S.

eBay (EBAY) reports that over 40% of its goods sold are either used or refurbished. CFO Steve Priest highlighted this during an April conference call, noting it as a “competitive advantage and a strength.” A transcript of the call was provided by AlphaSense.

Priest added, “Consumers are continuing to look for value in this environment.”