Brittany Burton, co-owner of Revive Consignment in Somerville, isn't ruling out that shifts in customer behavior could be a reaction to recent tariffs and inflation.

The Trump administration has currently imposed tariffs on Chinese imports as high as 145%, though news broke this week that a lower tariff rate could be the future. Often, clothes, like many products we buy, are made in foreign countries, like China.

"We have seen an uptick the last two months," Burton said. "We're not sure if it's tariff-related, but when it was announced in the news, we were kind of thinking we hope it makes people shop local and more in the U.S."

One silver lining is second-hand stores, like one in Somerville, that allow someone’s money to be spread further while offering a more sustainable option.

"We hope it really wards off the fast fashion Temu/Shein," Burton said. "It's really hurting our planet."

This could be one positive spin from the headlines: e-commerce sites SHEIN and Temu will begin raising prices to adjust to the times as of Friday.

Burton is also seeing more people come in to sell items to help their wallets.

“Whenever there’s change in the world, people get uneasy, and they start to want to collect money and have a nest egg and definitely more cash. Better for everyone," Burton said. "So we definitely see an uptick in people calling or walking in and wanting to sell their items and get some extra income.”

Burton offers advice to those looking to get the biggest return for the items they are selling.

"Take them out on your back porch and just hold them up on a hanger," Burton said. "Check for any stains, definitely around the neckline, makeup stains, underarms, underarm stains. So, I give it a quick once-over in that way. Steam it or iron it.”