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Pinduoduo

The ludicrously high grey-market prices for the Mate XT reflects Huawei Technologies’ success in stealing Apple’s thunder in the same month the US firm launched its new iPhone 16 series. Photo: EPA-EFE

Huawei’s Mate XT tri-fold handset sparks frenzy, leading scalpers to hike prices

Scalpers at electronics marketplace Huaqiangbei aim to resell the Mate XT’s base model for up to US$9,866, above Huawei’s US$2,800 price tag.

Scalpers at electronics marketplace Huaqiangbei aim to resell the Mate XT’s base model for up to US$9,866, above Huawei’s US$2,800 price tag

19 Sep 2024 - 10:00AM

Apple’s new iPhone 16 already selling at a discount in China

17 Sep 2024 - 6:00PM

Lazada leverages AI, logistics in competition with rivals like Temu

16 Sep 2024 - 10:47PM

TikTok’s Chinese sibling emerges as fast-rising e-commerce player

The short-video platform saw gross merchandise value rise by 46 per cent in the year ended July 2024, an executive says.

11 Sep 2024 - 11:47AM

Alibaba merchants hail WeChat Pay adoption on Taobao and Tmall

Many hope that the move could lure more consumers from rival platforms that already accept a variety of payment methods.

6 Sep 2024 - 7:00AMvideocam

Alibaba sets up new ‘digital technology’ firm under Taobao and Tmall Group

The new outfit appears to reflect how TTG could pursue further business expansion or sharpen its focus on certain activities.

4 Sep 2024 - 9:00AM

Pinduoduo updates rules to kick out sellers of shoddy products

A PDD executive said in a recent post-earnings call that the company is willing to sacrifice short-term profits for long-term health.

3 Sep 2024 - 9:30PM

Pinduoduo is taking measures to weed out sellers of low-quality or fake products. Photo: SCMP

My Take | Beijing’s ‘anti-involution’ stance looks to tame e-commerce sector, price wars

Major online retail platforms are expected to make changes on algorithms, policies and charges that have fanned excessive competition.

3 Sep 2024 - 7:00AM

PDD returns some service fees to sellers after US$1.4 bln pledge

Sellers had been displeased that service fees were non-refundable even when customers cancelled an order.

1 Sep 2024 - 10:00AM

JD.com lures overseas Chinese shoppers with faster shipping

The e-commerce giant promises shipments to US, Japan and Singapore-based customers in as little as five days.

29 Aug 2024 - 7:30PM

Walmart sells JD.com stake for US$3.6 billion, ending relationship since 2016

The deal comes as a property crisis, market volatility and uncertain job prospects take a toll on consumption in mainland China.

21 Aug 2024 - 3:12PM

Walmart’s share sale would mark the end of its partnership with JD.com that started in 2016. Photo: Reuters

Shein gets green light for US$514-million supply chain hub project in Guangzhou

Local authorities have granted 25 construction approvals for the project’s initial phase, covering a development area of at least 800,000 square metres.

22 Aug 2024 - 1:53PM

TikTok, Amazon collaborate on online shopping amid rivalry with Shein, Temu

TikTok users will see Amazon product recommendations on the app’s ‘For You’ feed.

10 Aug 2024 - 4:55PM

Temu sellers struggle with disputes amid complex company structure outside China

Sellers on the app from China’s PDD Holdings are finding it difficult to resolve disputes over withheld earnings, which must be done outside the mainland.

2 Aug 2024 - 9:00PM

Discount shopping firm Temu’s supply chain faces scrutiny amid mainland protest

According to multiple merchants on Temu, the terms between the platform and its suppliers have put them at a disadvantage.

1 Aug 2024 - 9:07AM

Many of Temu’s merchants complain about the platform’s “opaque” system of slapping fines on sellers, while offering few channels for relief. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese e-commerce firms Taobao, Douyin shift focus away from aggressive pricing

Douyin says it will be more ‘refined’ in pricing; Taobao changes controversial refund policy amid fierce price war that has hit earnings.

30 Jul 2024 - 11:07PMvideocam

Chinese suppliers storm Temu office in Guangzhou to protest ‘harsh’ policies

Hundreds of Chinese suppliers on Temu, the overseas shopping app run by PDD Holdings, staged a protest at the e-commerce giant’s office in Guangzhou over alleged unreasonable platform policies.

1 Aug 2024 - 1:58AM

Alibaba’s Tmall waives annual service fee, Taobao relaxes ‘refund only’ policy

Taobao will reward merchants with good track record on the platform more autonomy in handling refund requests from customers.

27 Jul 2024 - 7:00AM

The latest initiatives by Taobao and Tmall Group reflect efforts to boost support for merchants amid increased competition on the mainland. Photo: Shutterstock

ByteDance-owned Douyin said to miss first-half e-commerce sales target

Douyin’s gross merchandise value growth rate is expected to hit 24 per cent in 2024, a steep decline from the previous two years, according to a Goldman Sachs estimate.

25 Jul 2024 - 8:30PM

Alibaba bets on Taobao, Tmall clothing retailers to go up against Shein, Temu

Alibaba’s latest initiative ratchets up its efforts to compete overseas against Shein, Temu and ByteDance-owned TikTok Shop.

24 Jul 2024 - 10:00AM

PDD-owned Temu’s first-half sales hit US$20 billion, beating 2023 total: report

Temu reached the US$20-billion milestone in gross merchandise value faster than its Chinese-backed rivals Shein and TikTok Shop.

23 Jul 2024 - 11:00PMvideocam

PDD Holdings-owned online marketplace Temu initially went live in the United States in September 2022. Photo: Shutterstock

High-tariff push roils Shein, Temu operations in South Africa, EU, other markets

Low-cost goods shipped from mainland China could potentially be subjected to higher tariffs and scrutiny in other countries, following South Africa’s latest initiative.

19 Jul 2024 - 9:00PM

Several retailers in South Africa have accused Shein and Temu of abusing the country’s tariff rules. Photo: Shutterstock

In China’s Guangzhou, a web of factories gives rise to Shein

An extensive army of manufacturers, managed through a complex digital system, has fed Shein’s meteoric growth.

6 Jul 2024 - 12:00PM

EU reconsiders duty exemption for cheap goods that helps Shein, Temu

The effort adds to the growing momentum of protectionism against Chinese companies as its cheaper goods threaten local producers.

4 Jul 2024 - 10:50AM

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com pursues budget-minded consumers

JD.com is said to be taking full control over the operation, logistics and after-sales services of its Jingxi low-price shopping platform.

2 Jul 2024 - 5:00PM

JD.com is doubling down on its focus on budget-conscious consumers. Photo: Reuters

Chinese-owned Temu to face compliance issues in Indonesia, local officials warn

Budget shopping app provider Temu, owned by Pinduoduo parent PDD Holdings, may face regulatory hurdles if it enters the Indonesian market, local officials have said.

24 Jun 2024 - 8:00PM

An ad for Temu, which offers low prices direct from the factory. Photo: Handout

Asian Angle | Why Pinduoduo’s surprise growth may not be good news for China’s economy

Consumption has been driving growth, but it remains low owing to low disposable incomes and high savings rate among Chinese households.

22 Jun 2024 - 11:00AMvideocam

From Alibaba to BYD, Chinese sponsors jostle for attention at Euro 2024

Five of the championship’s 13 sponsors come from China, as these companies look abroad amid slow growth at home.

18 Jun 2024 - 7:00PM

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Pinduoduo

PDD is an online retailer specialising in the budget-shopping segment. It has quickly become one of the biggest e-commerce businesses in China, with its Pinduoduo app pioneering the concept of social e-commerce, allowing consumers to reap steep discounts by buying in groups. It has expanded aggressively overseas in recent years, launching its Temu app in the US in 2022, and subsequently rolling it out in more than 40 countries.

last updated:

21 August, 2024