Want a $4 iPhone case? Amazon launches budget store Amazon Haul to challenge Temu, Shein
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Amazon Haul focuses on selling items for US$20 or less, or what Amazon calls "crazy low prices".
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Seattle - Amazon.com on Nov 13 launched an online shopfront designed to compete with Temu, the low cost shopping app that gained traction with shoppers who trade longer shipping times for rock-bottom prices.
Amazon Haul focuses on selling items for US$20 (S$27) or less, or what Amazon calls “crazy low prices”.
The name is a play on social media “hauls”, where people show off their purchases.
The selection focuses on clothing, home goods, jewellery and electronics.
In a blog post, Amazon said the new service is available in its shopping app and mobile website.
The app showed a US$3 iPhone case, a four-pack of Christmas socks for US$6.98 and a US$14 women’s crew neck fleece.
Most products are priced at US$10 and less, CBS News reported.
Temu, a unit of China’s PDD Holdings, and Chinese online fashion retailer Shein have won over many Gen Z shoppers and other bargain hunters by offering low cost clothing, electronics and other items that typically ship directly from manufacturers in China.
At the same time, US consumers are still feeling the bite of inflation that hit a 40-year high during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amazon Haul purchases are delivered in one to two weeks, longer than regular Amazon items. The company charges a US$3.99 shipping fee that is waived for orders larger than US$25.
The company has heard “from customers that sometimes they would love to shop ultra-low-priced products even if some of them take one to two weeks to arrive”, Amazon said in a blog post published on Nov 13 that described the service.
The Seattle-based company started courting China-based sellers for the service earlier in 2024. Amazon also cut the fees it charges merchants who sell cheap clothing.
To find Amazon Haul, go to the Amazon app and search “Haul” in the search bar, or go to www.amazon.com/haul on your web browser. BLOOMBERG
