You’re not the only one shopping on Shein and Temu for the holidays
The Rise of Impulse Buying
Shopping on Temu can feel like playing an arcade game. Instead of using a joystick-controlled claw to grab a toy, visitors to the online marketplace maneuver their computer mouses or cellphone screens to browse colorful gadgets, accessories, and trinkets with prices that look too good to refuse.
A World of Guilty Pleasures
A pop-up spinning wheel offers the chance to win a coupon. Rotating captions warn that a less than $2 camouflage print balaclava and a $1.23 skeleton hand back scratcher are “Almost sold out.” A flame symbol indicates a $9.69 plush cat print hoodie is selling fast. A timed-down selection of discounted items adds to the sense of urgency.
The Accelerating Age of Consumerism
By all accounts, we’re living in an accelerating age for consumerism, one that Temu, which is owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, and Shein, its fierce rival, have supercharged with social media savvy and an interminable assortment of cheap goods, most shipped directly from merchants in China based on real-time demand.
The Business of Bargain-Hunting
The business models of the two platforms, coupled with avalanches of digital or influencer advertising, have enabled them to give Western retailers a run for their money this holiday shopping season.
A Global Phenomenon
Software company Salesforce said it expects roughly one in five online purchases in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada to be made through four online marketplaces based or founded in Asia: Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop – the e-commerce arm of video-sharing platform TikTok – and AliExpress. Analysts with Salesforce said they are expected to pull in roughly $160 billion in global sales outside of China. Most of the sales will go to Temu and Shein.
The Power of Social Media
Lisa Xiaoli Neville, a nonprofit manager who lives in Los Angeles, is sold on Shein. The bedroom of her home is stocked with jeans, shoes, press-on nails, and other items from the ultra-fast fashion retailer, all of which she amassed after getting on the platform to purchase a $2 pair of earrings she saw in a Facebook ad.
The Quirks of Temu
Ellen Flowers, 36, a lifestyle blogger who lives in Dallas, recently decided to pair a $3,500 dining table with $25 dining chairs from Temu to save money. She’s also purchased clothes from Temu. The quality or fit wasn’t always great, so Flowers donated some unwanted pieces to thrift stores to avoid paying return shipping fees that would cost almost as much as the clothes.
The Pushback Against Temu and Shein
Despite their rise, Temu and Shein have proven particularly ripe for pushback. Last year, a coalition of unnamed brands and organizations launched a campaign to oppose Shein in Washington. U.S. lawmakers also have raised the possibility that Temu is allowing goods made with forced labor to enter the country.
Conclusion
The holiday season is upon us, and with it, the temptation to indulge in impulse buying is stronger than ever. With platforms like Temu and Shein offering a world of affordable goods at our fingertips, it’s no wonder that many of us are giving in to the allure of instant gratification. But as we shop ’til we drop, let’s not forget the potential consequences of our actions, from environmental harm to labor abuses.
FAQs
- What is Temu and Shein?
Temu and Shein are online marketplaces that offer a wide range of affordable goods, from fashion to home goods, with prices that seem too good to be true. - How popular are Temu and Shein?
Shein is the world’s leading fast-fashion retailer, while Temu is the world’s second most-visited online shopping site. - What are the concerns surrounding Temu and Shein?
Temu and Shein have faced criticism over issues such as environmental harm, labor abuses, and the potential for goods made with forced labor to enter the country. - How are Temu and Shein responding to the criticism?
Both companies have set up warehouses in the U.S. to speed up delivery times and help them better compete with Amazon, which is trying to erode their price advantage through a new storefront that also ships products directly from China.
