ThredUP Surges as CEO Sees Tariffs Tilting Shoppers to Resale

Core Insights - ThredUP reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings, indicating a growing consumer preference for secondhand clothing, with CEO James Reinhart suggesting that proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could further enhance this trend [1][3]. Financial Performance - ThredUP's revenue for Q1 reached $71.3 million, a 10.5$3.8 million, a significant improvement from the previous year's losses [2] - The net loss narrowed to $5.2 million, or$0.04 per share, and the company raised its full-year sales outlook to about $286 million, up from$275 million [2] Market Dynamics - The tightening of the "de minimis" exemption and potential broader apparel tariffs could increase the cost of new clothing, making ThredUP's secondhand offerings more attractive to consumers [3] - Higher import duties may also create a more competitive marketing environment, as major advertisers like Shein and Temu have reduced spending, leading to lower customer-acquisition costs for ThredUP [4] User Engagement - ThredUP experienced a 6% increase in active buyers, reaching 1.37 million, with new-buyer additions surging by 95%, marking the best quarter in the company's history [5] - The implementation of AI search tools, including "Shop Similar" and visual-search features, has improved conversion rates and enhanced the shopping experience [5] Market Reaction - Following the positive earnings report, ThredUP's shares rose nearly 16% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor optimism [6]