34% of SME’s on Temu have expanded internationally

One in three (34 percent) European small businesses selling on Temu said that they have started selling in new markets after joining the platform. And 50 percent said that they have added production capacity, hired additional staff or both.

These findings come from a survey conducted by Temu, among 152 small businesses from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. All of them are sellers on Temu. The survey was conducted in June and July this year. It seems that the marketplace is a way for sellers to expand their cross-border ecommerce operations.

Asian marketplace Temu launched in Europe in 2023. A year later, it opened the platform to European sellers. According to the company, it is now active in over 90 markets, which include all member states of the EU. Businesses from more than 35 markets can join the marketplace as sellers.

Established companies also join the platform

Of the surveyed small businesses, 75 percent said that Temu is now an important additional sales channel, or their primary sales channel. And 43 percent of respondents said that they had already been selling for more than a decade before joining the marketplace. This suggests that established businesses are also deciding to join Temu.

Challenges for sellers

According to the marketplace, it has been in touch with ecommerce associations, industry bodies and other stakeholders in Europe. With these conversations, it wants to support local businesses. Temu said that sellers often name challenges like complexity, cost and support.

Temu has been in touch with ecommerce associations to try and support local sellers

The survey looked into how Temu sellers experience these challenges as well. Up to 38 percent of respondents said that they value Temu’s easy-to-use seller platform. And 35 percent said that they find its cost structure fair. About dedicated support for sellers, 65 percent of sellers said that they find this valuable.

‘Immense potential of Europe’s small businesses’

“The survey findings underscore the immense potential of Europe’s small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to grow if there were simpler, more affordable ways to reach new customers,” said a spokesperson for Temu. “We look forward to continuing our work in helping sellers grow at home and abroad and create jobs within their communities.”