The problem with Temu, Amazon’s low-cost Chinese competitor – The Irish Times

A pair of sneakers for the price of a sandwich, a Dyson hair straightener for a fraction of the original price – pretty much anything you can imagine, and random, bizarre things you never even thought existed, are available on Temu, the e-commerce app that's taking the online shopping world by storm. With millions of bargains, it promises shoppers to “shop like a billionaire.”

As of January 2024, the app had nearly 47.8 million downloads worldwide. Once you shop at Temu, you will be bombarded with emails offering you special offers and discounts on the already low prices.

But authorities around the world have launched immediate investigations, pointing out, for example, that some toys and electrical equipment at the construction site do not meet safety standards. And the US State Department has warned that working conditions in some factories that produce goods for third-party suppliers at Boston-based Temu may amount to forced labour.

While the prices may be attractive, the quality of some products and the relentless sales tactics are less so, says Conor Pope, consumer editor of the Irish Times, who explains Temu's business model and the reason for its rapid adoption.

This episode was originally published in May 2024.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.