• Temu has shared the results of a recent survey on its one year anniversary of operating in South Africa.
• The ecommerce platform says one in three South Africans made use of it in the past year.
• Affordability was highlighted among local shoppers as the key draw of the online shopping site.

It is now one year since Chinese ecommerce platform Temu began its local operations. While the past 12 months have not been without controversy as Temu came under scrutiny by regulators, it has also found amazing success in SA.

Proof of that success has been shared via a recent survey Temu conducted with the help of News24.

The survey polled 1 700 local consumers in an effort to explore Temu’s growing popularity, the savings it provides, and its role in offering access to affordable products. While the number of people surveyed may be considered low, looking anecdotally at the figures, they do seem to be in line with what we have heard about the platform in recent months.

Perhaps the most impressive figure shared is that one in three South Africans have made use of Temu in its first year, with close to 40 percent then becoming monthly active users on the back of the initial interaction.

As for the elements that have drawn local consumers to the Temu experience, 81 percent recognised the platform for its affordability, while 46 percent estimated that they saved over half of their shopping budget when using the website for their online purchases. Other findings from the survey included that 77 percent of Temu shoppers would recommend the platform to friends and family.

“We are incredibly grateful for the trust and support from our consumers in South Africa, a vibrant and dynamic market. As we celebrate our first anniversary here, we remain committed to offering unbeatable prices on quality products and refining our services to enhance the shopping experience,” shared Temu spokesperson in a release to Hypertext.

Some notable discoveries as a result of the survey regarding the local ecommerce landscape is that online shopping continues to grow across SA, as 64 percent of respondents indicated that they shop digitally more frequently than a year ago.

The top drivers for this include convenience at 72 percent, as well as the ability to compare prices at 56 percent, along with flexible shopping hours and access to a wider range of products at 53 percent and 51 percent respectively.

Another key aspect to Temu’s success has been how quickly purchased products find their way to customers. “Nearly 81% believe that a factory-direct model, like Temu’s, provides access to high-quality products at significantly lower prices,” the company highlighted.

“Temu’s innovative direct-from-factory approach has not only reshaped how South Africans shop but also empowered them to save more while improving their quality of life,” it concluded.

You can check out some of the key statistics and findings from the survey in the infographic embedded below.

[Image – Photo by appshunter.io on Unsplash]