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deadstock
What does deadstock mean?
Old inventory that never sold and sat in a warehouse, now valuable because it's vintage and pristine.
"They found a case of deadstock '90s tees in the back room."
Origin
A retail/inventory term for unsold stock ('dead' meaning not moving). Sneaker resale culture repurposed it in the 2000s to mean brand-new, unworn condition, often abbreviated 'DS.'
Frequently asked questions
What does deadstock mean in sneakers?
It means the shoes are brand-new and never worn, ideally with the original box — the most desirable resale condition.
What does DS stand for in resale?
DS is short for deadstock, meaning brand-new and unworn; VNDS means 'very near deadstock,' lightly worn but near-perfect.
Why is deadstock more valuable?
Because pristine, unworn condition is rare for older releases, so collectors pay a premium for it.
Where did the term deadstock come from?
From retail, where it meant unsold inventory; sneaker resellers adopted it for never-worn condition.
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