Temu expands European delivery network

Temu, the rapidly growing ecommerce player from China, has expanded its European delivery network through partnerships in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. More logistic collaborations seem to be on the horizon.

Temu launched in Europe about seven months ago, following its U.S. launch in September last year. Its business model involves dropshipping: shipping products directly from manufacturers, reducing costs and inefficiencies associated with traditional retail supply chains. Temu is backed by the Chinese tech giant and Pinduoduo owner PDD Holdings, which opened an office in Dublin this spring.

Fascinating mobile users

After its introduction, Temu quickly climbed the app download lists in various countries, captivating mobile users longer than other shopping apps with its substantial discounts, refer-a-friend promotions, and gamification elements. Ecommerce giants like Amazon and eBay saw their daily mobile shoppers decline with the entry of the Chinese newcomer.

Logistic proposition

Meanwhile, Temu has been working to improve its logistic proposition for shoppers in Europe. It has partnered with Mail Alliance in Germany, Poste Italiane in Italy, and CTT in the Iberian Peninsula. A spokesperson states:

‘Timely and reliable delivery is a critical component of customer satisfaction.’

The parties involved do not make it clear how much time is saved by the collaborations.

Mail Alliance, Post Italiane and CTT

In Germany, Mail Alliance will contribute its network of 55,000 delivery personnel to the collaboration, according to Temu. The company is Germany’s largest network of private postal service providers, known for its capacity to handle large volumes and swift delivery times.

In Italy, Poste Italiane will collaborate with Temu on initiatives such as PIN code-enabled lockers and local stores serving as pick-up and drop-off points. The partnership also includes environmental strategies, such as reducing carbon emissions and employing eco-friendly packaging.

Temu’s Italian partnership includes environmental strategies

CTT, the national postal service of Portugal operating in Spain through CTT Express, is expected to play a key role in supporting Temu’s growth in the Iberian market.

Surpass customer expectations

“Our collaboration with strong regional partners will help us to meet and surpass our customers’ expectations for a smooth and efficient fulfillment process”, Temu states regarding its logistic steps in Europe.

In 2024, the company plans to enhance its logistics partnerships to further streamline ecommerce delivery and returns processes.