[ad_1]
Amazon‘s biggest Chinese rival in the US Temu is abandoning the model which it almost built around its business in the country. Temu is changing its business model centered around cheap Chinese imports, aiming to sell only goods from local merchants to American consumers for the foreseeable future. This basically means that Temu is for now abandoning the very business model that helped it become a huge success in the US.
PDD Holdings Inc’s online retail website that became a household name in the US after its entry just a few years ago with cut-price items from dresses to kitchen towels. China’s Temu now intends to shift to what it calls a “local fulfillment” model. In an emailed statement to Bloomberg, the company said that it is actively recruiting US merchants and will sell only their locally based merchandise. The change in business model is expected to allow the Chinese-owned company to sidestep tariffs.
‘Good news’ for Temu customers
The Big and Good News for American buyers in this is that the company has said that it plans to keep prices for customers in America unchanged. “The move is designed to help local merchants reach more customers and grow their businesses,” Temu said. It’s also “part of Temu’s ongoing adjustments to improve service levels.”
‘Very Good News’ for Donald Trump
Temu announced the shift just on the day the Trump administration’s ‘de minimis’ tariff exemption for small parcels came into force in the US. The Trump administration ended US duty-free access for low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong on Friday, May 2, removing the “de minimis” exemptions availed by two of China’s biggest online retailers — Temu and Shein. Under CBP’s latest guidance, shipments from China and Hong Kong regardless of size will now be subject to Trump’s new tariffs of 145% plus any prior duties, except for products such as smartphones which were excluded last month.
This is a sharp change in Temu’s policy, which till last week had introduced a clearly labeled surcharge at checkout, effectively transferring nearly all of the tariff burden to US consumers. Shein, a fast-fashion giant, has also hiked prices, with some items seeing increases of over 300%.
Many other Chinese suppliers so far appear unwilling to absorb the tariffs, leaving retailers caught between rising costs and uncertainty over the duration of the levies. But after Temu’s policy change, it remains to be seen if other retailers will also follow suit.
Amazon’s U-turn and why it is important
Earlier this week, America’s biggest online retailer took a massive U-turn within hours. Amazon.com announced that it wouldn’t display the cost of US tariffs on products, after the White House slammed the reported move. President Trump reportedly complained to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The move underscores the difficult position US consumer retailers are in.
Like Amazon, companies like Walmart and Target could also come under political pressure to absorb some — if not all — of the cost increases, which could help cushion the direct impact on shoppers.
[ad_2]
Source link
About the author
When a Monument Cries for Help — A Citizen’s Appeal from village Masjid moth, South Extension–II
When a Monument Cries for Help — A Citizen’s Appeal from Village Masjid Moth, South Extension–II South Extension–II is known as one of Delhi’s most premium localities — a place associated with culture, history, prosperity, and civic pride. But today, standing next to the historic Masjid Moth monument in Village Masjid Moth, the reality on the ground is heartbreaking, disturbing, and deeply shameful. Just a few days ago, a local resident posted a reel on Instagram showing a film shoot taking place at Masjid Moth. Like him, many young people from this area dream of seeing this monument revived — used respectfully for art, cinema, culture, photography, and tourism. Yet the truth is that the Archaeological Department and civic authorities have completely abandoned it. ▶ View Instagram Reel A Monument Surrounded by Filth and Neglect Garbage carts overflowing with waste […]
Designing Thug Life: Amritha Ram on Styling Kamal Haasan
Costume design in Indian cinema often dances between fantasy and realism. But in Thug Life, Amritha Ram collaborates with cinematic icons Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam to craft a fashion-forward yet character-driven wardrobe that breaks norms. In an exclusive with ETimes, Amritha reveals how meticulous planning, storytelling, and visual language drove her designs. Tip 1: Collaboration Is the Key to Vision When asked what excited her most about working on Thug Life, Amritha simply said, “Two names: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam.” The sheer reputation of these legends shaped her approach. Mani Ratnam was clear about the film’s visual tone—stripping away Bollywood glamor for something minimalistic yet powerful. “Mani sir guided me all the way. He knew exactly what he wanted,” she shared. Working with Kamal, who understands fabric, dyeing, and even costume history, was a learning curve. His feedback […]
If It Happened There: Donald Trump sends central troops to quell protests in opposition-ruled California | World News
[ad_1] Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Note: The following piece is inspired by Joshua Keating’s If It Happened There which uses tropes and tones normally used by American media to describe events in other countries. The facts presented deal with as much exactitude and accuracy as an American media outlets’ reporting about a foreign country.Los Angeles, Mexican for the city of angels, is home to Hollywood – America’s answer to Bollywood – and a city where starstruck aspirants come with the dream of being immortalised on the silver screen. Yet, the city, which falls under America-administered California, an opposition state which overwhelmingly voted for Mr Donald Trump’s rival from the Democratic Party, Ms Kamala Harris, […]
Apple prepares for new ‘Games’ app as domain goes live ahead of WWDC 2025 keynote
[ad_1] Apple is expected to launch iOS 19 (or rumoured iOS 26) and one of new features that is reported to come is a new Apple Games app. Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for this new application, which is said to curate games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, as a domain purportedly leading to the platform has gone live.As per a report by 9to5mac, the company's new games.apple.com domain has just gone live. However, it is currently displaying a blank page, signaling imminent content.This shift from a "Safari Can’t Find The Server" error message to a blank white page strongly suggests Apple is preparing to push content to the URL very soon, potentially coinciding with the conclusion of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.What Apple’s new Games app is all aboutWhile the exact function of the […]
MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame | Cricket News
[ad_1] MS Dhoni, former India cricket captain, has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary career spanning 16 years with 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India. The wicketkeeper-batsman revolutionized the sport through his unique playing style, tactical leadership and achievements including winning all three ICC men's white-ball titles as captain. "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever," Dhoni said about his induction. Dhoni's journey began in 2004 when he made his ODI debut. Though he was dismissed for a duck in his first match, he soon announced his […]
160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi in China found to be harmful to trees |
[ad_1] In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered 160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi fossils from the Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in China. The new findings offer fresh insights into the ecological relationships between blue-stain fungi, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period. These fungi are generally nonfatal to their hosts but often accelerate tree mortality when associated with wood-boring insects.According to ScienceDaily, a Chinese team of scientists highlights the discovery of well-preserved blue-stain fungal hyphae within Jurassic fossil wood from northeastern China, pushing back the earliest known fossil record of this fungal group by approximately 80 million years.Know about the blue-stain fungi, deadly to treesBlue-stain fungi are known for their ability to colonize wood, particularly in conifer trees, causing characteristic discoloration in the sapwood. While these fungi do not decompose wood, they often cause considerable damage when associated with wood-boring insects. Their role […]
Related
DJ in the Sky: How a Viral Paragliding Performance Put Bir on the Map
A young DJ recently strapped on not just a harness but also a sound system, delivering a live set while paragliding at 10,000 feet over Bir, Himachal Pradesh. The video spread like wildfire across Instagram, YouTube, and X, garnering millions of views. It was more than a stunt — it was a perfect blend of adventure, creativity, and digital shareability. Why it clicked Novelty factor: Music + extreme sports = instant attention. Visual spectacle: The Himalayas in the background amplified the drama. Social-first content: The clip was optimized for vertical viewing, helping it trend on Reels and Shorts. Cultural meaning The performance wasn’t just a viral gimmick. It symbolized the fusion of youth culture — music festivals, influencer-driven experiences, and India’s booming adventure travel scene. Bir, already known as the paragliding capital of India, is now a global talking point. […]
Designing Thug Life: Amritha Ram on Styling Kamal Haasan
Costume design in Indian cinema often dances between fantasy and realism. But in Thug Life, Amritha Ram collaborates with cinematic icons Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam to craft a fashion-forward yet character-driven wardrobe that breaks norms. In an exclusive with ETimes, Amritha reveals how meticulous planning, storytelling, and visual language drove her designs. Tip 1: Collaboration Is the Key to Vision When asked what excited her most about working on Thug Life, Amritha simply said, “Two names: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam.” The sheer reputation of these legends shaped her approach. Mani Ratnam was clear about the film’s visual tone—stripping away Bollywood glamor for something minimalistic yet powerful. “Mani sir guided me all the way. He knew exactly what he wanted,” she shared. Working with Kamal, who understands fabric, dyeing, and even costume history, was a learning curve. His feedback […]
If It Happened There: Donald Trump sends central troops to quell protests in opposition-ruled California | World News
[ad_1] Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Note: The following piece is inspired by Joshua Keating’s If It Happened There which uses tropes and tones normally used by American media to describe events in other countries. The facts presented deal with as much exactitude and accuracy as an American media outlets’ reporting about a foreign country.Los Angeles, Mexican for the city of angels, is home to Hollywood – America’s answer to Bollywood – and a city where starstruck aspirants come with the dream of being immortalised on the silver screen. Yet, the city, which falls under America-administered California, an opposition state which overwhelmingly voted for Mr Donald Trump’s rival from the Democratic Party, Ms Kamala Harris, […]
Apple prepares for new ‘Games’ app as domain goes live ahead of WWDC 2025 keynote
[ad_1] Apple is expected to launch iOS 19 (or rumoured iOS 26) and one of new features that is reported to come is a new Apple Games app. Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for this new application, which is said to curate games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, as a domain purportedly leading to the platform has gone live.As per a report by 9to5mac, the company's new games.apple.com domain has just gone live. However, it is currently displaying a blank page, signaling imminent content.This shift from a "Safari Can’t Find The Server" error message to a blank white page strongly suggests Apple is preparing to push content to the URL very soon, potentially coinciding with the conclusion of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.What Apple’s new Games app is all aboutWhile the exact function of the […]
MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame | Cricket News
[ad_1] MS Dhoni, former India cricket captain, has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary career spanning 16 years with 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India. The wicketkeeper-batsman revolutionized the sport through his unique playing style, tactical leadership and achievements including winning all three ICC men's white-ball titles as captain. "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever," Dhoni said about his induction. Dhoni's journey began in 2004 when he made his ODI debut. Though he was dismissed for a duck in his first match, he soon announced his […]
160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi in China found to be harmful to trees |
[ad_1] In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered 160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi fossils from the Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in China. The new findings offer fresh insights into the ecological relationships between blue-stain fungi, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period. These fungi are generally nonfatal to their hosts but often accelerate tree mortality when associated with wood-boring insects.According to ScienceDaily, a Chinese team of scientists highlights the discovery of well-preserved blue-stain fungal hyphae within Jurassic fossil wood from northeastern China, pushing back the earliest known fossil record of this fungal group by approximately 80 million years.Know about the blue-stain fungi, deadly to treesBlue-stain fungi are known for their ability to colonize wood, particularly in conifer trees, causing characteristic discoloration in the sapwood. While these fungi do not decompose wood, they often cause considerable damage when associated with wood-boring insects. Their role […]
Be the first to leave a comment