Why Tariffs Might Be a Golden Opportunity for Resellers

Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. That’s what’s been on every business owner’s and consumer’s mind since the February 2025 announcement that all goods imported to the US would be subject to a 10% baseline tariff, with certain countries facing even higher rates. Since then, it’s been a roller coaster of uncertainty, including a recent 90-day pause. Despite the on-again, off-again whiplash, retail giants have begun to announce price hikes on various goods, including electronics, toys, and imported food items, due to the added costs from tariffs.

However, while many retailers are bracing for impact, resellers could be uniquely positioned to benefit. In this blog, we break down how retailers are responding to tariffs and why resellers may actually come out on top.

Retailers And Consumers Are Feeling the Pressure

The threat of recent tariff increases are poised to significantly impact a range of industries, and are already driving up retail prices across sectors such as electronics, apparel, home goods, and tools. The list of companies that have stated they’d have to raise prices include the likes of P&G, Nintendo, Stanley Black & Decker, and Columbia Sportswear.

Retailers and manufacturers are now under intense pressure to balance competitive pricing with profitability. At the same time, consumer behavior is shifting, with individuals becoming more selective and conservative in their spending. This confluence of economic pressures is leading to reduced purchasing activity, presenting a critical challenge for businesses striving to maintain both market share and financial stability.

Emerging Challenges from Tariffs

To mitigate the anticipated impact of tariffs, retailers have accelerated the import of goods—a strategy known as frontloading.
While effective in ensuring stock availability, frontloading increases the risk of surplus inventory, particularly as consumer demand begins to soften.
Panic buying from consumers now could result in buyer’s remorse and returns. In particular for lower-value goods.
On the flip side, an economic slowdown may impact returns volume in the long term.
Concerns around inflation, economic slowdown, and tariffs are driving more price-sensitive purchasing behavior.

While there has been an overall decline in traditional retail performance, we’ve seen a concurrent boost in the resale and off-price sectors. That’s where resellers come in.

Resellers: The Unexpected Winners

Tariffs increase the landed cost of imported goods, typically pushing the additional expense onto consumers. However, domestic resale does not trigger a tariff: when a product is returned or is sitting in a warehouse and marked as excess or obsolete, it has already cleared customs and the tariff has been paid.

Resellers are primed to step in and offer discounted, quality products to shoppers looking to save during an uncertain retail landscape. According to a NerdWallet survey, 85% of Americans have tariff concerns, chief among them is their ability to afford necessities (46%).

Here’s what gives resellers a leg up:

More unsold inventory = more liquidation opportunities. Retailers frontloading a ton of inventory that may not sell on the primary market can potentially create more sourcing opportunities. From apparel to electronics, as import-heavy categories struggle, resellers gain access to a diverse range of inventory.
Buying liquidation inventory offers cost advantages. Namely, business buyers armed with tax-exempt resale certificates can bypass paying import tariffs on liquidation lots as these come directly from retailers’ and manufacturers’ warehouses in the US. In turn, these buyers pass along those savings to their customers.
Ability to reach cost-conscious consumers. Resellers offer value to consumers looking to save a few bucks (buying heavily discounted inventory in bulk has its perks!). While retailers may be forced to increase prices, savvy shoppers will be on the hunt for alternatives.

Hear What Resellers Are Saying

It’s not only the retailers that are stockpiling–seasoned resellers like Bert Leffel recommend doing the same thing. He shared the following regarding tariffs and the current retail landscape:

“Do what Home Depot or Amazon does. They stockpile products because they see 10 steps ahead. They’re ordering more than they’re gonna need today. And they’re gonna ride through the storm.

I wouldn’t necessarily doom and gloom anybody into stockpiling. But it’s there–and you know it’s great product–if you buy it, you’re gonna make money on it. It’s just a matter of how fast you want to sell it, where you want to sell it, and what’s the best method to turn through product.”

Riding the Wave of Resale Opportunity

Economic uncertainty often fuels the resale economy because, at the end of the day, people need affordable goods. The current landscape and opportunity for resellers is similar to what happened during the pandemic: in 2020 B-Stock saw a 34% increase in buyers sourcing across our platform. Accordingly, we believe this new wave of tariffs has the potential to usher in the next generation of resellers.

Resellers are already hard at work, and those considering picking up a side gig to supplement their income would do well to follow in their footsteps. With talks of a recession looming, it doesn’t hurt to start dipping your toes in the world of resale or expanding your current operation.

Here are some considerations for new and seasoned resellers:

Do I have a reliable source of inventory to start or continue reselling? Definitely! That’s what B-Stock is here for. We connect buyers and sellers of returned, excess, and trade-in inventory via a technology-driven resale platform. Whether you’re starting out with a few pallets or need to ramp up on inventory to meet demand, we have plenty of buying solutions that can work for your resale model.
Are there key categories that might be impacted by tariffs? Nasdaq reports that appliances could be on the docket for price increases. There’s already strong demand for appliances on the secondary market–you can look into scratch & dent or used appliances as an entry point.
What resale channels do I have available to me? Selling across multiple channels like eBay and Facebook Marketplace is one thing, but don’t discount the power of social commerce and platforms like Whatnot and TikTok. You could potentially unlock a new customer base as folks search for deals and cost-saving tips amidst price increases–it’s time to meet shoppers where they’re at!

New to the game and want to learn more about purchasing liquidation pallets? Use this checklist to get started.

Turning Pressure into Profit

Tariffs will likely continue to create pressure on traditional retail channels. However, increased inventory access and stronger price competitiveness work in favor for resellers. If anything, it’s a catalyst for growth for existing resellers and positions new resellers to rise to the challenge.

In uncertain times, those who adapt quickly–and buy smart–often come out ahead. If we learned anything from the pandemic, resellers are more than just a stop-gap; thousands of resellers use B-Stock to power their businesses. Ready to take action? Check out available inventory now!