Online retail rivals Shein and Temu are transforming holiday shopping and challenging U.S. retailers by redefining consumer habits and turning holiday gifting into a colorful frenzy of bargains and impulsive clicks.
Holiday shopping has undergone several shifts over the years as many have turned away from traditional brick and mortar stores towards fast fashion and exclusively online shops.
However, with promises of unbeatable prices and endless choices, these exclusively online platforms have been shaking up Western retail markets drawing avid consumers and sharp criticism.
A Gamified Shopping Experience
Shopping on Temu often feels like playing a digital claw machine, with deals that entice shoppers to grab $2 camouflage balaclavas or $1.23 skeleton hand back scratchers before they disappear. Pop-ups, countdowns, and spinning wheels amplify the urgency, transforming browsing into an everyday Cyber Monday experience
Owned by China’s PDD Holdings, Temu pairs its gamified approach with a global inventory that meets demand at lightning speed.
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