Watch out, Shopee? The Chinese e-commerce platform is coming to the Southeast Asian region. 

• They launched in the Philippines over the weekend, offering 90% discounts, free shipping, and free returns.
• They’re now active in 38 countries!

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⏰ A long time coming

The platform's debut in SEA has been rumored since early this year! Why? They’ve been ramping up their global expansion in the past months. 

• They just expanded to Europe, North America, and Australia last June.
• Around this time, they also sent out a survey to sellers asking which platforms they were using in Japan, Korea, and SEA. 

Then in early July, they launched in Japan. Later that month? South Korea.

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⏪ Rewind

Temu launched in September of last year in the US, as an offshoot of another Chinese group-buying and e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, which IPO’d in the US in 2018 after a breakthrough rise (and some controversy). 

• Shocking! Just a few months after launch, Temu became the most downloaded free app on Apple App Store and Google Play.
• What they sell? Just about everything on the market! Furniture, power tools, home appliances–but mostly fast fashion clothes. 

Uh-oh. Not everything is smooth sailing for Temu though. Some shoppers have complained about late orders and even credit card leaks.

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🗞️ In other news

Temu competitor Shein recently partnered with Forever 21, allowing them to distribute the brand’s items on their platform. 

• Shein will acquire a one-third stake in Forever 21’s parent company, Sparc Group. 

Way before that. Temu and Shein sued each other in the US.

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🛍️ What this means for SEA

They’re facing tough competition from major e-commerce players like Shopee, Lazada, Bukalapak, and more. 

Extra Scoop: TikTok is also digging its heels in SEA!

• We’ll keep you updated. We’re waiting to see how their entry can affect the regional e-commerce industry.