Temu, a shopping app from Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, that became the most popular app in the United States, has now entered the European market.
The platform has expanded its operations to France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, increasing the total number of countries where it operates to 10.
Temu (which means team up, price down) has swiftly made its presence known since its launch in September 2022. Offering a wide range of products such as footwear, jewelry, beauty accessories, and home goods, Temu directly sources from Chinese merchants and sells at highly competitive prices.
This cross-border model has proven successful for other global players such as Shein, which boasts a $58.5 billion annual revenue and ships to over 150 countries.
Owned by PDD Holdings Inc. and headquartered in Boston, Temu has recorded a whopping 19 million downloads in the first quarter of 2023, according to mobile intelligence firm Sensor Tower. The app has been downloaded approximately 24 million times within five months of its launch.
The app has also topped the charts as the most downloaded app store in the US, surpassing Amazon and Walmart and solidifying its position as a significant player in the e-commerce market.
“Through the largest stage possible, we want to share with our consumers that they can shop with a sense of freedom because of the price we offer,” a Temu spokesperson told CNN about its “shop like a billionaire” motto.
However, Temu and Shein have now come under the scrutiny of U.S. officials after TikTok’s ban in the United States. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which is linked to Congress, recently released a report accusing Shein and Temu of “data risks, sourcing violations, and trade loopholes” in the fast fashion and e-commerce sectors.