Warehouse operations by Temu in South Africa reduce expenses on chosen merchandise
Temu, the popular shopping app that entered South Africa in January 2024, has introduced a local warehouse strategy to enhance the shopping experience for its South African users. This move puts Temu in direct competition with established players like Amazon, Takealot, and Makro.
Managing Inventory and Logistics Locally
With the local warehouse, sellers can manage their own inventory and logistics, ensuring a smoother shopping experience for customers. This strategy also allows for the offering of new product categories, such as furniture, home goods, and other bulkier items.
Payment Methods and Delivery Fees
Temu offers various payment methods, including card payments, EFTs, and Buy Now Pay Later. For South African buyers, select items from the local warehouse mean lower import fees and faster deliveries. Customers often pay a flat R75 delivery fee for orders above R650 from the local warehouse.
Navigating the App to Find Local Items
Finding local items on the Temu app is not easy since there is no dedicated filter for local products. However, users can search for "local warehouse" in the search bar, look for the "Local Warehouse" label, check delivery estimates, and delivery fees to spot locally stocked items.
The Benefits of Shopping Locally
A user recently made an order of R638 and paid R194.90 in import duty, which would have been R75 if the items were in the local warehouse. This highlights the benefits of shopping locally, not only in terms of lower import fees but also faster deliveries.
The Impact of Import Charges
Recent changes indicate Temu is now prioritising showing local warehouse items due to new import charges. This means that the default search results may also favour local stock.
Expansion of Local Stock
More local stock is gradually being added to the Temu app. Fashion lovers still have to pay import fees for most stylish clothes on the Temu app, as they are not yet labeled local. However, Temu accepts both IDs and passports, making it easier for foreign nationals living in South Africa to shop on the platform.
Upcoming Event
Lastly, a Moonshot event by our website is scheduled in Lagos on October 15-16. This event promises to be a great opportunity for Temu to showcase its local offerings and connect with the South African community.
- To streamline logistics and manage inventory efficiently, Temu has implemented technology that allows sellers to manage their own logistics within the local warehouse, thereby enhancing the shopping experience for customers.
- In addition to offering a range of payment methods, such as card payments, EFTs, and Buy Now Pay Later, Temu's local strategy promises lower import fees and faster deliveries for South African buyers, as select items coming from the local warehouse are subject to reduced charges.
