Tariff Threats Spark Retail Stockpiling Surge, Raising New Supply Chain And Environmental Concerns

As tariff threats loom over the U.S. economy, retailers are experiencing a surge in pandemic-like buying behavior — and experts warn the real disruption is yet to come.

Emily Hosie, founder and CEO of returns recommerce leader REBEL, says recent spikes in purchases of appliances, baby gear, and home goods could create a second wave of pressure on supply chains as panic-buying eventually leads to a flood of returns.

“Like many retailers, REBEL has seen more than a 50% spike in sales in the last month,” Hosie said. “But traditional retailers need to brace for what happens when unwanted goods flood back into the system.”

The initial sales boom may feel like good news for retailers, but Hosie notes many categories seeing increased demand — including furniture and baby products — lack strong reverse logistics infrastructure. Without a system in place for processing returns, she warns, companies could face serious operational and financial challenges.

The unprecedented buying behavior and inevitable returns will reshape demand forecasts and pricing for months, according to Hosie.

Beyond business concerns, there’s also a looming environmental cost. Without solid recommerce channels in place, many of the returned, never-used items could end up in landfills rather than back on shelves — amplifying the environmental impact of the buying surge.

Hosie, whose company REBEL operates North America’s largest marketplace for open-box and overstock baby gear and home essentials, says recommerce is emerging as a critical solution. By creating sustainable secondary markets for excess inventory and returns, recommerce not only helps protect retailers margins but also provides consumers with more affordable options at a time of rising prices.

“Recommerce is emerging as an essential part of the retail ecosystem,” Hosie said.

Founded in 2020 as Rebelstork and rebranded as REBEL in 2025, Hosies company has quickly positioned itself as a leader in the returns recommerce space. REBEL recently expanded into the home vertical and was recognized as the 2024 Retail Startup of the Year by Modern Retail and named to The Leads Foremost 50 list of breakout challenger brands.

As retailers face mounting economic and environmental pressures, experts like Hosie argue its time for a new playbook — one that sees returns not as waste, but as opportunity.