{"id":12649,"date":"2023-07-08T06:30:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-08T06:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=12649"},"modified":"2025-04-23T09:30:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:30:22","slug":"what-is-temu-the-new-chinese-bargain-shopping-app-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/what-is-temu-the-new-chinese-bargain-shopping-app-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Temu? The new Chinese bargain shopping app explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

E-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein are attracting a lot of attention for leveraging China\u2019s technology and logistics advantages to bring cheap products to shoppers in the UK directly from manufacturers in China. But critics have raised concerns about sustainability, quality and data privacy<\/h2>\n

Since launching in late 2022, Temu has captured the attention of millions of shoppers worldwide with its promise to let you \u201cshop like a billionaire\u201d at rock-bottom prices. However, its exponential growth has raised concerns within the business community. In this article, we delve into the background of Temu, its remarkable growth, concerns surrounding its business model, and the implications of its expansion for British companies in China and beyond.<\/p>\n

\"launchpad<\/a><\/p>\n

What is Temu?<\/h4>\n

Temu (pronounced \u2018tee moo\u2019) is a discount e-commerce platform<\/a> shoppable via an app and website that launched in the UK in April 2023. The platform sells ultra-cheap products across a range of segments \u2013 from tech to kitchen gadgets to clothing \u2013 shipped directly from China. It has been compared to other discount e-commerce sites like Ali Express, Wish and Shein. Shoppers are encouraged to buy with \u201clightning deals\u201d, clearance sales and free shipping; at the time of writing, some of the lightning deals on offer included an iPhone charging cable for \u00a30.47 and a \u2018crystal\u2019 necklace for \u00a30.89.<\/p>\n

The platform keeps prices so low by shipping directly from a network of small manufacturers and independent sellers, avoiding the need to spend on warehousing. The low value of most individual orders also means that it avoids UK customs duties, which only kick in on shipments valued above \u00a3135.<\/p>\n

Since first launching in the US in September 2022, Temu\u2019s app has been downloaded more than 117 million times, making it one of the fastest-growing apps of all time. Monthly spending on Temu is reported to have reached $700 million in May 2023, surpassing even that other Chinese e-commerce behemoth, Shein.<\/p>\n

This success has been achieved partially by super discounted prices and a strong novelty factor but also by a massive marketing push, including spending huge sums on ads on Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram) and Apple\u2019s app store, and taking out two TV spots during Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 (reportedly costing more than $14 million).<\/p>\n