The battle for the top e-commerce Marketplace in the Philippines continues with a new contender entering the archipelago. A budget Chinese e-commerce platform, Temu, has recently expanded its services to the Philippines.
The Boston-based online marketplace is set to rival established e-commerce players in the country such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Temu continued its global expansion by entering Southeast Asia this month, following its launch in Japan and South Korea in August. The online shopping app had already reached Europe in April and Australia and New Zealand in March.
According to South China Morning Post, Temu’s arrival in the Philippines is part of its global strategic expansion target less wealthy economies.
As of this writing, Temu has become available in more than 38 countries around the world.
In comparison, Shopee, the leading e-commerce marketplace in the Philippines is only available in 11 countries.
A Quiet Launch But Huge Promos
Temu was launched in the Philippines quietly. It did not have a big launch event or a huge media coverage.
However, the new online marketplace teased Filipino online shoppers with discounts of up to 90% off on various items.
Temu Philippines is offering free shipping for a limited time on almost all orders. Delivery periods range from six to 25 days. They promised a P250 free credit for all late orders.
More About Temu Philippines
Temu is a budget e-commerce marketplace owned by multinational e-commerce group PDD Holdings. The company’s website states that it was established in 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Like other e-commerce platforms in the country, Temu is available on the website and app. The e-commerce app has been downloaded over 100 million times on Google Play, with a 4.6 rating. Meanwhile, on the App Store, Temu ranks as the 15th most popular shopping app with a 4.4 rating.
Temu Philippines platform also accepts a variety of payment methods such as GCash, PayPal, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card, Diners Club International, and JCB.
Frequently Asked Questions about Temu’s Launch in the Philippines
Is Temu Legit?
Temu is a legitimate e-commerce marketplace. Despite its legitimacy, Temu has faced several challenges, especially during its launch in the USA. Customers have reported issues like undelivered packages, misleading ads, and difficulty reaching customer service.
This is reflected in their Better Business Bureau rating, which is currently lower than average. As of June 6, 2024, Temu has a C+ BBB rating and has 2,248 customer complaints on the platform. Unsurprisingly, Temu isn’t accredited by BBB.
Does Temu Ship to the Philippines?
Yes, Temu recently launched its services in the Philippines! In fact, Temu offers a free shipping option and free 90-day returns (as of June 6, 2024). In the Philippines, Temu’s logistics partner is J&T Express, and the standard shipping time ranges from 5 to 20 days.
When customers in the Philippines order products on its platform, Temu directly ships these items from its suppliers (the majority based in China). This business model eliminates the middleman, allowing them to minimize their cost and offer lower prices on products.
Who is the Owner of Temu Philippines?
PDD Holdings, more commonly known as PPD, is the parent company of Temu. It’s a multinational commerce group that was founded by Colin Huang in 2015.
PDD is now making waves in the global e-commerce scene. Apart from Temu, this giant company also owns and operates different online marketplaces in China, including the highly successful Pinduoduo platform.
According to LSEG data, PDD’s net profit skyrocketed by a staggering 246% to 28 billion yuan ($3.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2024. That’s more than double what analysts expected!
