Over the past few weeks, a new digital store called Temu has been gaining popularity, positioning itself as a viable alternative to AliExpress. In this review, we will explore the unique features of this emerging marketplace and what it offers to consumers.
Following a successful international debut in the United States, where it garnered acclaim for its exceptionally low prices, Temu has now made its way to Spain. However, their ambitions extend beyond our country, as they have plans to expand their presence to other European nations such as France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy. This expansion aims to provide customers in these regions with access to Temu’s remarkable deals and savings.
Temu’s main strengths
Temu is an online sales platform that falls under the ownership of PDD Holdings Incorporated, a Chinese conglomerate renowned for operating Pinduoduo, a prominent social commerce platform in China. Serving as an online marketplace, Temu adopts a similar aesthetic and operating model to AliExpress, connecting customers worldwide directly with Chinese sellers. Through Temu, buyers have the opportunity to access a wide range of products and enjoy the convenience of direct transactions with sellers from China.
Temu has swiftly gained recognition due to its competitive pricing strategy, an extensive product catalog, and enticing flash sales offering substantial discounts. The platform also runs a referral program, enabling members to earn free prizes by inviting new users to join the Temu community. If you haven’t come across Temu yet, chances are you will soon. Moreover, Temu offers various gaming opportunities where users can win discounts and coupons, incentivizing them to make purchases on a large scale.
Although Temu is registered in Boston, the majority of its products are shipped directly from China. As a result, customers can expect shipping times similar to those of AliExpress, typically ranging between 7 and 15 business days. It’s worth noting that approximately 80% of shipments are completed in under 10 days, ensuring relatively fast delivery for most orders.
Temu’s extensive catalog covers a wide range of products, surpassing clothing and encompassing electronics, household items, toys, and more. The platform provides a convenient search engine at the top, allowing users to easily navigate through the offerings. With the inclusion of filters, finding specific items becomes even more effortless. What sets Temu apart is its unbelievably low prices, which often defy expectations. On top of that, the platform frequently features flash deals that further reduce prices.
In summary, while some prices may appear too good to be true, it’s important to note that Temu is a legitimate and reliable platform. It offers a valuable service, connecting users with reputable sellers across various industries. Rest assured, Temu is not a scam and can be confidently used to make purchases from professional sellers.
Competition for AliExpress and SHEIN
Temu, founded in 2015, is the global version of Pinduoduo, a renowned Chinese company that competes with major firms like Alibaba within the Asian market. In a significant achievement, Temu surpassed its rival in 2020 and became the company with the highest number of ecommerce customers in China. Presently, Temu boasts an impressive user base of over 730 million monthly active users, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the Chinese ecommerce landscape.
Temu has faced legal challenges, including a high-profile case in the United States involving SHEIN. According to reports from Fashion Dive, Temu allegedly devised a strategy to capitalize on the established brand of SHEIN. The accusations revolved around the creation of multiple Twitter accounts impersonating Shein’s official account, which redirected users to download Temu’s mobile application. Subsequently, Shein expanded its lawsuit to include allegations that Temu generated Google ads that appeared to promote the renowned fashion store but actually directed users to Temu’s website. Furthermore, Temu was accused of initiating a smear campaign against the brand by engaging certain influencers through contractual agreements. These legal disputes reflect the competitive landscape and challenges faced by Temu in its efforts to establish itself within the fashion industry.
