While prices push the price of goods in the highest United States, the used clothing industry could draw the benefits.
President Donald Trump imposed a 10% rate on Chinese products in February. Since then, the two countries accumulate the levies of reprisals on each other.
In the current state of things, the American price on goods imported from China is 145%, and a commercial escape called “of Minmis”, which meant that retailers did not have to pay import taxes or rights on shipments worth $ 800, expired on Friday. China has placed a 125% rate on American products.
The flaw had been particularly friendly for fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu, who could previously send Ultra-Lobe items directly to customers in the United States without paying duty.
Price increase
Millions of American consumers have been attracted to these online stores for their affordable products and customer sales, offering rock prices and massive sales. But the two companies said they would increase prices as a result of prices.
This could really help second -hand clothing stores, which are likely to prove to be a cheaper alternative.
“We have already seen the slowdown in consumers and expenses in the United States,” Danielle Testa, assistant professor at the Arizona State University Fashion, Institute of Design and Merchandising, told Business Insider.
The feelings of consumer feelings of the University of Michigan was down nearly 20 points between the start of the year to 52.2 in April, its lowest level since 2022, when inflation reached 9%.
‘Made in America’
“Many of our clothes come from the outside of the United States, very little is done in the United States, so we expect price increases to all fashion products, which will lead people to certain second-hand options because you get around the prices if they are already on the American clothing market,” said Testa.
According to the American Apparel and Footwear Association, only about 3% of clothing and shoes in the United States are produced at the national level. The others are mainly imported from China, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh and other countries – which are all now confronted at prices.
“During periods of economic uncertainty, consumers are looking for value and savings often increases,” Bi David Eagles, Chief of Goodwill Industries International, told Bi David Eagles.
“Economic pressures tend to increase the emphasis on intelligent spending and significant gifts, we therefore expect the interest of used purchases to increase, motivated by economic and sustainability factors.”
The used market is already developing strongly. Dealer Trapin predict that it will reach $ 73 billion by 2028 in the United States And $ 350 billion worldwide, compared to $ 197 billion in 2023.
Slow down
With prices likely to increase more, American consumers may soon be forced to seek options outside the rapid fashion industry.
Thredup was one of the voices that recommended the closure of the minimis exemption, the appellant “a critical step to treat the unsustainable flow of ultra-fast fashion in the United States” in a recent declaration.
“We cannot go through things so quickly, between, you know, produce them, wear them or sometimes not carry them, before having them,” said fashion marketing reader at the Metropolitan University of Manchester.
“But we must really keep things used longer, otherwise it is a complete waste of all resources,” she said, describing the many steps that are part of clothing manufacturing, including the supply of raw materials, production in a factory, the transport of the finished property and all the people involved in the various stages of the supply chain.
Perry explained that recycling is not yet a solution because we do not have large -scale technology. In addition, retailers who produce clothes from recycled materials are generally beyond the budgetary range of the average consumer.
“We really have to marry the production of better things with the use, or the more considered use of things,” she said.
There is something for everyone, whatever your budget, said Perry. You have your kilo sales, thrift stores and charity stores, as well as luxury shipments, she added.
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