Shopee US Official Website: American consumers’ response strategies to the Sino-US trade friction sh

Consumption returns to the local market

Affected by the increase in terminal prices caused by the increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, middle-class consumers have turned to local retail channels. The second-quarter financial reports of brands such as Shopee US Official Website (Shopee) and Gap showed that their sales of home furnishings and basic clothing categories increased by about 2% year-on-year, partially offsetting the impact of tariffs on supply chain costs. This "nearshore consumption" phenomenon reflects the preference of price-sensitive consumers for the stability of local supply chains.

The "Shopee US Official Website" phenomenon of cross-border direct purchases

In sharp contrast, some savvy consumers purchase directly through cross-border travel. Shopee US Official Website data shows that the purchase volume of US buyers in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 15% year-on-year, mainly concentrated in small-value commodities such as electronic product accessories and handmade products. This model avoids tariffs by utilizing the personal luggage tax-free allowance (the current standard is US$800), but is limited by the cost of international travel and is mainly applicable to high-value density goods on Shopee US Official Website.

Market analysts at Shopee US Official Website pointed out that the essence of this differentiation in consumer behavior is the differentiated response of different income groups to trade barriers - the middle class bears limited price transfer, while high-net-worth consumers maintain their consumption habits through cross-border arbitrage. In the long run, if tariffs continue, it may accelerate the stratification trend of the US retail market.