PDD Challenges Alibaba and US Rivals with Impressive Growth

PDD, the parent company of popular online retail platforms Pinduoduo and Temu, has emerged as a formidable competitor to Chinese giant Alibaba. However, investors may be more surprised to learn that PDD has also gained significant traction against US rivals like Amazon and Dollar General.

In the midst of China's economic slowdown, PDD's Pinduoduo has experienced exponential growth this year. With financially constrained consumers seeking budget-friendly alternatives, Pinduoduo has flourished. But it's not just the Chinese market where PDD is making waves. Its US platform, Temu, which debuted in late 2022, is making remarkable strides of its own.

According to a recent report by market research group Earnest Analytics, Temu's sales during the 2023 holiday season have skyrocketed by over 1,000% compared to its first full quarter of operations last year. As a result, Temu's market share among US discount stores has surged from 2% at the beginning of this year to an impressive 17% in November. On the other hand, Dollar General's market share has dropped from 57% to 43% in the same period.

Temu, being the new player in the market, poses a direct threat to established discount retailers. The impact is evident in Dollar General's recent dismal performance. In its third-quarter results, the company reported a 1.3% decline in same-store sales compared to the previous year, and a staggering 41% drop in operating profit. Despite exceeding Wall Street's expectations and experiencing a 2.6% stock increase in Thursday trading, even Dollar General's CEO expressed dissatisfaction with the results. Todd Vasos stated, "we are not satisfied with our financial results."

PDD's success in challenging Alibaba and gaining ground against US competitors like Dollar General showcases its ability to adapt and thrive in diverse markets. With its budget-friendly alternatives and impressive growth, PDD is proving to be a major player in the online retail landscape.

Temu Disrupts E-Commerce: A Challenger to Amazon's Dominance

Introduction

In a surprising turn of events, Temu, a rising player in the e-commerce industry, is making waves that could potentially challenge the dominance of Amazon. This week, Amazon announced changes to its U.S. take rates for sellers in 2024. Notably, the marketplace fees for Apparel items priced below $20 will be reduced, with an even further reduction for items under $15.

Competing Against Shein and Amazon

According to Bernstein analyst Mark Shmulik, these modifications are Amazon's attempt to increase competitiveness against low-priced apparel competitors like Shein and Temu. It is worth noting that Amazon currently imposes high aggregate take rates on Chinese sellers, which creates an opportunity for Temu to offer more affordable prices under this umbrella.

Shmulik emphasizes the significance of Amazon's response to Temu and Shein, stating that it will have far-reaching implications for both companies and the broader global e-commerce industry.

Temu: A Rival to Chinese and U.S. Retail Giants

Undoubtedly, Temu is emerging as a formidable rival to online retail players in both China and the United States. This is evident from the notable performance of PDD stock, which has nearly doubled (up 96%) over the past six months. In comparison, Amazon shares have risen by 19%, while Dollar General stock has experienced a 14% decline during the same period. Alibaba's shares have dipped by 16%, with JD.com stock seeing a significant drop of 27%.

Shmulik remains optimistic about Temu's potential success in the U.S., stating that Amazon's decision is unlikely to have a material impact. Overall, there is a high level of optimism surrounding Temu's ability to contribute to PDD's share price upside.

Conclusion

As Temu challenges traditional giants like Amazon and establishes its presence in the e-commerce landscape, it is clear that the industry is in for a major shake-up. The ongoing competition between Temu, Amazon, Shein, and other players will undoubtedly shape the future of global e-commerce.

By Jack Denton