Value shopping app Shein is opening up its platform to third-party sellers with the debut of a new global integrated marketplace. Up until now Shein has operated as a traditional retailer by acquiring its own inventory. This contrasts with fellow China-based discount shopping apps such as Wish and Temu, which use a consumer-to-manufacturer marketplace model.
Shein has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the U.S. thanks to on-trend discount offerings enabled by its real-time fast fashion model. The company has been able to cut the time from product design to shipping from three weeks to five days, allowing it to offer an evolving slate of the latest of-the-moment trends. Opening up its platform to third-party sellers will help Shein stave off the threat of Temu, which just overtook Shein as the No. 1 shopping app in America. (Shein still holds the No. 2 position, ahead of both Amazon and Walmart.)
Shein tested the marketplace waters first in Brazil, beginning last month, and now plans to launch it in the U.S. before rolling out to other global markets. The platform will host both local and international third-party sellers on the Shein site and app alongside Shein-branded apparel products.
Marketplace sellers will have access to Shein’s real-time insights and the opportunity to learn from the company’s on-demand production and demand measurement capabilities.
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“Shein is committed to delivering the best shopping experience for customers and empowering the communities where we operate while doing so,” said Sky Xu, CEO of Shein in a statement. “By bringing new sellers onto Shein Marketplace that are aligned with our vision of making the beauty of fashion to all, we are creating increased value for our customers while enabling local businesses to grow with us.”