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Blog

35 Anti-Woke Ecommerce Platforms Statistics

35 data-driven statistics on anti-woke ecommerce platforms, values-aligned consumer behavior, boycotts, and the infrastructure powering politically conscious marketplaces.

Swell Team | December 24, 2025

Data-driven analysis of values-aligned marketplaces, consumer behavior shifts, and the infrastructure requirements for politically-conscious commerce

Values-based purchasing has moved from fringe behavior to mainstream market force, with 40% of consumers changing their spending habits to align with their morals following the 2024 election. Anti-woke ecommerce platforms—marketplaces explicitly targeting conservative consumers—represent a growing segment of the digital commerce landscape. For merchants building value-aligned storefronts, multi-vendor marketplace capabilities with split payment functionality and flexible backend infrastructure become essential for serving politically-conscious customer bases at scale.

Key Takeaways

  • Values-aligned commerce is accelerating – 92% of consumers identify as at least somewhat intentional in their purchasing decisions, creating substantial demand for niche marketplaces
  • Anti-woke platforms show explosive growth – PublicSquare's Black Friday/Cyber Monday GMV increased 536% year-over-year from $1.2 million to $7.8 million
  • Boycotts drive platform adoption – 31% of consumers have boycotted a business, with political donations and affiliations cited as the second most common reason
  • Gen Z leads values-based spending – 96% say they shop intentionally, making them a critical demographic for values-aligned platforms
  • Platform infrastructure matters – Niche marketplaces require flexible, API-first architecture to rapidly adapt to community needs and content rules
  • Counter-boycotts create opportunity – 23% of consumers have supported a business specifically because it was the target of a boycott

The Landscape of Anti-Woke Ecommerce: Defining the Niche

Understanding the Values-Aligned Commerce Movement

Anti-woke ecommerce platforms emerged as alternatives to mainstream marketplaces, explicitly serving consumers who prioritize purchasing from businesses aligned with conservative values. These platforms function as curated ecosystems where vendors and customers share ideological common ground.

1. PublicSquare hosts over 55,000 small businesses on its marketplace

The largest anti-woke platform, PublicSquare, has aggregated over 55,000 small businesses as of July 2023. This network creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem where conservative consumers find vendors who share their values, and vendors access a pre-qualified customer base.

2. 62% of consumers say purchases should align with personal values

Research shows 62% of consumers believe it's important that their purchases align with their personal values or identity. This statistic underscores why niche platforms targeting specific value systems have grown—they meet an explicit consumer demand that mainstream marketplaces ignore.

3. 92% of consumers identify as intentional shoppers

The shift toward conscious consumption is nearly universal, with 92% of consumers identifying as at least somewhat intentional in their purchasing. Of these, 40% describe themselves as "very intentional," indicating a substantial segment actively seeking values-aligned shopping experiences.

Growth Trajectories and User Adoption: Marketplace Performance Data

Analyzing Platform Economics

Anti-woke platforms have demonstrated significant growth metrics, though from relatively small bases compared to mainstream competitors. The data reveals both the opportunity and challenges in this niche.

4. PublicSquare's BFCM GMV increased 536% year-over-year

The most dramatic growth metric comes from PublicSquare's 536% increase in Black Friday through Cyber Monday gross merchandise value—from $1.2 million in 2024 to $7.8 million in 2025. This demonstrates accelerating adoption during peak shopping periods.

5. Q1 2025 revenue reached $6.7 million with 95% growth

PublicSquare reported Q1 2025 revenue of $6.7 million, representing a 95% increase from $3.5 million in Q1 2024. This sustained growth indicates the platform is building momentum beyond seasonal spikes.

6. Market capitalization jumped 172% following board appointment

When Donald Trump Jr. joined PublicSquare's board in December 2024, the company's market cap grew from $72 million to $196 million—a 172% increase. This volatility highlights how political alignment directly impacts valuations in this sector.

7. Credova credit business GMV increased 75% during BFCM

PublicSquare's consumer credit arm, Credova, saw GMV increase 75% during BFCM 2025, from $706K to $1.24 million. This indicates demand for integrated financial services within values-aligned commerce ecosystems.

Consumer Behavior Statistics: The Boycott Economy

Political Alignment Drives Purchasing Decisions

Consumer boycotts and counter-boycotts have become significant market forces, creating both risk and opportunity for ecommerce platforms across the political spectrum.

8. 31% of consumers have boycotted a business

31% of consumers have boycotted a business, with discrimination (43%), political donations/affiliations (41%), and religious practices (29%) cited as the top reasons. This widespread boycott activity creates demand for alternative marketplaces.

9. 40% changed spending habits following the 2024 election

A Harris Poll found 40% of consumers changed their spending habits to align with their morals in the months following the 2024 election. This post-election shift accelerated values-based commerce across both liberal and conservative demographics.

10. 45% research business values before purchasing

45% of consumers research business values or stance before purchasing at least sometimes. This pre-purchase research behavior drives demand for platforms that pre-curate values-aligned vendors.

11. 24% stopped buying from favorite brands due to misalignment

24% of shoppers have stopped buying from their favorite brands due to political or value misalignment. This willingness to abandon established brand loyalty creates addressable market share for alternative platforms.

12. 67% believe boycotts effectively influence business practices

67% of consumers think boycotts are effective in influencing business practices. This perception of effectiveness motivates continued participation in both boycotts and counter-boycotts.

13. 23% have supported businesses specifically because they were boycotted

Counter-boycott behavior represents significant opportunity, with 23% of consumers supporting a business specifically because it was the target of a boycott. This "buycott" phenomenon directly benefits brands that take clear political stances.

14. Target stock droppexd 35.6% amid boycott activity

Real market impact is measurable: Target's stock dropped 35.6% from $137.91 on January 31 to $88.76 by April 8, 2025, partly attributed to consumer boycotts over DEI rollbacks. This volatility demonstrates the financial stakes of values-based commerce.

Generational Trends: Gen Z and Values-Based Shopping

The Next Generation of Values-Aligned Consumers

Gen Z demonstrates the highest rates of intentional purchasing, making them a critical demographic for values-aligned platforms regardless of political orientation.

15. 96% of Gen Z consumers shop intentionally

96% of Gen Z consumers report intentional shopping behavior, with 66% noting it's important their purchases reflect their values. This generation's purchasing patterns will shape commerce for decades.

16. 59% of Gen Zers research values before purchasing

59% of Gen Z research business values or stance before purchasing—significantly higher than older generations. This research behavior creates demand for transparent, values-explicit platforms.

17. 32% of Gen Z fear judgment for buying from wrong brands

Social pressure shapes purchasing, with 32% of Gen Z fearing being judged for buying from the "wrong" brands. This social dynamic reinforces platform loyalty within values-aligned communities.

18. 61% of Gen Z discover value-aligned brands via social media

Social platforms serve as primary discovery channels, with 61% of Gen Z finding value-aligned brands online via social media. This discovery pattern benefits platforms with strong social community engagement.

Transaction Data and Economic Performance

Financial Metrics from Values-Aligned Platforms

Beyond growth rates, operational metrics reveal the sustainability and efficiency of anti-woke marketplace models.

19. PublicSquare's Q1 2025 gross margin reached 58%

Gross margins improved significantly, with PublicSquare reporting 58% gross margin in Q1 2025 compared to 43% in the prior year period. This 15 percentage point improvement indicates improving unit economics.

20. Sales and marketing expenses decreased 48%

PublicSquare's S&M expense decreased 48% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, suggesting organic growth from community effects rather than paid acquisition. Values-aligned platforms benefit from word-of-mouth within their communities.

21. Cash position of $28 million provides runway

With $28.0 million in cash as of March 31, 2025, PublicSquare has capital to continue platform development. This runway allows for infrastructure investment without immediate profitability pressure.

Challenges for Anti-Woke Investment Vehicles

Mixed Performance in Adjacent Markets

While ecommerce platforms show growth, anti-woke investment products have struggled, revealing the complexity of values-based market positioning.

22. American Conservative Values ETF holds only $40 million AUM

The ACVF, marketed as an anti-woke investment vehicle, has accumulated only $40 million in assets under management—modest by ETF standards. This limited adoption suggests investors prioritize returns over political alignment.

23. ACVF underperformed S&P 500 by over 2%

Performance matters: ACVF underperformed the S&P 500 by over 2% through June 2023. Underperformance challenges the sustainability of purely ideological investment positioning.

24. Strive's flagship ETF has $320 million AUM with flat growth

Strive Asset Management's US Energy ETF (DRLL) holds approximately $320 million in AUM, nearly unchanged since its August/September 2022 launch. This plateau suggests limited ongoing demand.

25. Half of Strive's ETFs have less than $12 million each

Despite media attention, half of Strive's eight ETF products have less than $12 million in assets under management each—well below typical viability thresholds.

Values-Based Purchasing Drivers

What Motivates Conscious Consumers

Understanding specific motivations helps platforms and merchants align their positioning with consumer priorities.

26. 27% have made purchases based on national pride

27% of consumers have made purchases based on national pride, creating opportunity for "Made in USA" positioning within anti-woke marketplaces.

27. 15% factor CEO's political alignment into purchasing decisions

15% consider CEO alignment when making purchases. This behavior benefits platforms that explicitly vet vendor leadership positions.

28. 43% of six-figure earners have boycotted businesses

High-income consumers show the highest boycott rates, with 43% of six-figure earners having boycotted a business. This demographic's purchasing power makes their values-based behavior economically significant.

29. 31% of Republicans more likely to support boycotted businesses

Political affiliation correlates with counter-boycott behavior: 31% of Republicans have supported a boycotted business compared to 20% of Democrats. This asymmetry creates specific opportunities for conservative-aligned platforms.

Technological Requirements for Values-Aligned Commerce

Infrastructure Enabling Niche Marketplaces

Building successful values-aligned platforms requires flexible infrastructure that can adapt to community-specific needs, content policies, and rapid scaling requirements.

30. 48% of boycotters eventually return to businesses

Consumer behavior isn't permanent: 48% of boycotters have eventually returned to a business after boycotting it. This fluidity requires platforms built on flexible architecture that can rapidly respond to market shifts.

For merchants building values-aligned storefronts, Swell’s headless commerce architecture provides the flexibility to create custom experiences that resonate with specific communities. API-first platforms enable rapid iteration on storefront design without backend limitations.

31. 69% of boycotters currently boycott at least one business

Active boycott behavior is widespread, with 69% of boycotters currently avoiding at least one business. This ongoing behavior pattern sustains demand for alternative marketplaces.

Platforms serving niche markets need subscription capabilities that work seamlessly with their specific business models—whether membership boxes, recurring donations, or premium content subscriptions that build community loyalty.

32. One-third of consumers seek economic opt-out options

A substantial segment—one-third of consumers—has no interest in supporting the mainstream economy and actively seeks ways to opt out. This disengagement from traditional commerce creates addressable demand for alternative systems.

33. 38% of Canadians vs. 16% of Americans made national pride purchases

Cross-border differences are significant: 38% of Canadians made purchases based on "Buy Canadian" campaigns versus just 16% of Americans with "Buy American." International expansion requires multi-currency pricing capabilities that accommodate regional values-based messaging.

Future Outlook: Market Projections

Sustained Growth Expectations

Values-aligned commerce appears positioned for continued expansion, though performance varies significantly across different vehicles and platforms.

34. PublicSquare projects greater than 100% revenue growth for 2025

Management guidance indicates greater than 100% year-over-year growth, with revenue exceeding $46 million for full-year 2025. This projection, if achieved, would represent continued acceleration.

35. 45% say brand values will play bigger role in future purchases

Looking ahead, 45% of consumers indicate brand values will play a bigger role in their future purchases. This forward-looking sentiment suggests sustained demand for values-aligned commerce regardless of political orientation.

Building for Values-Aligned Commerce

The data reveals clear patterns for merchants and platform builders serving politically-conscious consumers:

  • Community matters more than advertising – PublicSquare's 48% reduction in marketing spend alongside 95% revenue growth suggests organic community effects drive adoption
  • Flexibility enables rapid response – Consumer boycott behavior shifts frequently, requiring platforms that can quickly adapt messaging and vendor curation
  • Multi-vendor models create ecosystems – Aggregating thousands of aligned vendors creates network effects that individual merchants cannot achieve alone
  • Subscription models build loyalty – Recurring revenue models strengthen community bonds and improve customer lifetime value

Merchants building values-aligned storefronts benefit from platform features that include unlimited product options, native subscription billing, and complete API access for custom implementations. The technical foundation determines how effectively a platform can serve its community's specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines an anti-woke ecommerce platform?

Anti-woke ecommerce platforms are marketplaces that explicitly target conservative consumers and businesses, often curating vendors based on political alignment, religious values, or opposition to corporate DEI initiatives. PublicSquare, the largest example, hosts over 55,000 small businesses and markets itself as an alternative to mainstream marketplaces for consumers seeking values-aligned purchasing options. These platforms function as curated ecosystems where vendors and customers share ideological common ground. The model creates a self-reinforcing network where conservative consumers find vendors who share their values.

How large is the market for value-aligned ecommerce?

The addressable market is substantial, with 62% of consumers saying purchases should align with their personal values and 31% having boycotted a business over values misalignment. PublicSquare's 536% BFCM GMV growth demonstrates that platforms capturing this demand can scale rapidly. The post-2024 election period saw 40% of consumers change spending habits to align with their morals. This widespread intentional purchasing behavior creates significant market opportunity.

What technology infrastructure do values-aligned marketplaces need?

Successful values-aligned platforms require flexible, API-first architecture that enables rapid adaptation to community needs and content policies. Key capabilities include multi-vendor marketplace functionality with split payments, native subscription billing for membership models, custom data fields for vendor verification, and multi-currency support for international expansion. Headless commerce architecture allows platforms to create custom experiences that resonate with specific communities without backend limitations. The infrastructure must support rapid iteration as consumer boycott behavior shifts frequently.

Can anti-woke platforms scale effectively?

Early data suggests scalability is achievable, with PublicSquare's Q1 2025 gross margin of 58% (up from 43% year-over-year) and 48% reduction in marketing expenses while growing revenue 95% indicating improving unit economics at scale. The platform's $28.0 million cash position provides a runway for continued platform development. However, anti-woke ETFs have struggled, suggesting platform models outperform passive investment approaches in this niche.

How do transaction fees differ on niche versus mainstream platforms?

Transaction fee structures vary significantly across platforms, directly impacting vendor profitability and platform competitiveness. Mainstream providers like Shopify charge up to 2% on external payment gateways, while API-first platforms often offer 0% transaction fees on external gateways. For niche marketplaces serving values-aligned communities, these fee differences can determine whether vendors find the platform economically viable. Lower transaction fees become particularly important for smaller businesses that comprise the majority of vendors on anti-woke platforms.

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