You won’t believe how much sales Temu owner PDD is missing out on in the midst of China’s slowdown!

Dive into the World of Editor’s Choice for Free

Share in the excitement as Roula Khalaf, the Editor of the FT, handpicks her favorite stories every week in this exclusive newsletter.

1. PDD Holdings Faces Quarterly Struggles
   • Shares in PDD Holdings took a hit after missing revenue estimates and sounding the alarm on increased competition in the Chinese market. Despite reporting a 44% increase in sales to Rmb99.4bn ($13.7bn) in the third quarter, falling short of analysts’ expectations at Rmb102.8bn, the ecommerce giant faced a drop of nearly 9% in its shares in morning trading.
2. Turmoil in the Chinese Technology Industry
   • PDD’s disappointing results echo similar struggles faced by JD.com and Alibaba in the previous week, highlighting the challenges posed by China’s sluggish consumer spending on the tech giants.
3. Mobilizing Efforts to Boost Profitability
   • In response to the economic slowdown hitting the ecommerce sector, PDD and Alibaba are both taking proactive measures to regain footing. Alibaba announced the consolidation of its domestic and international operations to improve profitability and extend market reach, while PDD expressed commitment to pursuing high-quality growth in alignment with Beijing’s economic goals.
4. Temu’s Rise to Spotlight
   • Temu, PDD’s overseas marketplace, has been making waves by offering bargain prices that compete with established players like Amazon. Leveraging a unique platform that pits merchants against each other to lower costs, Temu has gained significant traction and attention in markets like the US and Europe. Amazon’s countermove with the launch of Amazon Haul underscores the impact of Temu’s disruptive pricing strategies.
5. Regulatory Scrutiny and Challenges Ahead
   • The success of Temu hasn’t come without its share of controversy, with investigations and concerns emerging around its business practices in the US and Europe. Politicians are eyeing regulations to close duty-free loopholes and crack down on illegal product sales, signaling potential obstacles in Temu’s global expansion.

As the ecommerce landscape evolves and tech giants navigate economic headwinds, it’s clear that adaptation and innovation will be key to success in the ever-changing marketplace. Stay tuned for more updates on the dynamic world of online commerce as the industry continues to shift and transform.