Thrift Stores Experience Increased Foot Traffic Amid Trade Concerns
U.S. shoppers are turning to thrift stores, driven by worries over President Trump’s trade war and the potential rise of inflation, which might boost demand for second-hand items free from tariffs.
Evergreen Goodwill, a network of 23 thrift stores based in Washington, reported a 6% increase in weekly visitors compared to last year during the first half of this year.
The Seattle flagship location, known as the world’s largest thrift store, saw a 9% rise in foot traffic, bringing in around 16,000 visitors each week.
“Just last Monday, we had to keep more than 80 people waiting,” mentioned Kahina Boufnar, the production manager at the Seattle store, who organizes over 57,000 items weekly and is involved in setting prices.
Experts have been cautioning that Trump’s tariffs could lead to higher prices. While wholesale inflation surged 3.3% in July, consumer inflation remained relatively stable.
This indicates that businesses are currently absorbing some of these added costs. Apparel prices only rose by 0.1% in July. Nonetheless, the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that prices for children’s clothing increased by 3.3%, and footwear by 1.4%.
Clothing is significantly affected by tariffs, particularly with major textile suppliers in countries like Vietnam, India, Cambodia, and China facing steep fees.
“Everything’s just becoming more expensive,” commented 26-year-old Melanie Haid, a writer and blogger based in New York City. “I’ve been noticing the price hikes, and honestly, it’s pretty disheartening.”
She expressed her hope of relying more on thrift finds, especially with essential expenses like rent and groceries on the rise.
By February, half of survey respondents revealed they were more inclined to shop second-hand to dodge tariff-induced price hikes, according to a survey conducted by Smarty and Propeller Insights involving 1,022 U.S. consumers.
The Arizona-based chain Buffalo Exchange, which operates 41 thrift stores including five in New York City, reported significant growth in business during the first half of 2025, attributed in part to trade pressures.
“I think our uptick is probably connected to tariffs and the broader economy,” Jessica Pruitt, the marketing manager for Buffalo Exchange, noted. “In times of economic uncertainty, people tend to prioritize value more.”
Pruitt emphasized the benefits of thrifting, saying, “It’s not impacted by those tariffs, which is great.”
Mark Walsh, CEO of Savers, a company based in Bellevue, Washington, shared that they experienced double-digit growth across 171 stores nationwide in the second quarter.
Data from Market Intelligence Firm Sensor Tower indicated a 13% increase in downloads for reselling apps like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, Thredup, and The RealReal.
Monthly active users engaging with these apps also rose by 12% in the same timeframe.
Manish Chandra, founder and CEO of Poshmark, mentioned that despite focusing mainly on second-hand clothing, they anticipate this trend to continue as the landscape of tariffs and imports shifts.
Thrift stores have seen a diverse range of customers over the years, as interest in vintage and unique items grows among young adults and teens.
Staff members have observed that shoppers are increasingly buying larger items like furniture along with clothing.
“We’re seeing customers looking more broadly across departments,” Boufnar noted.
Pruitt mentioned that the perception of thrifting has changed significantly over time.
“When we first started, shopping second-hand wasn’t exactly trendy. It had this stigma attached to it,” she remarked. “Now, especially for Gen Z, it’s often the first choice and seen as cool.”
“Conscious shopping has really taken off,” said Hitha Herzog, chief retail analyst at H Squared Research and a part-time faculty member at Parsons. “And with tariffs added to the mix, it’s just the cherry on top.”
This sector has shown a remarkable resilience in the face of trade shocks like tariffs.
Leaders at Evergreen Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange believe they’re well-positioned to continue thriving, with plans to adjust prices if necessary to manage any future shortages.
