Tech Patrol

Etiket: e-commerce

  • # Temu Users Face Sticker Shock: New Import Charges Skyrocket Prices After Trump Tariffs

    ## Temu Users Face Sticker Shock: New Import Charges Skyrocket Prices After Trump Tariffs

    Shopping on Temu just got significantly more expensive for U.S. consumers. The online retailer has implemented hefty “import charges,” reportedly around 145%, in direct response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on goods originating from China, according to a CNBC report.

    These new fees are proving to be a significant burden for shoppers, often exceeding the cost of the products themselves and, in some instances, more than doubling the total order price. As an example, CNBC highlighted a summer dress listed on Temu for $18.47. After the addition of a $26.21 import charge, the final price balloons to a considerable $44.68.

    While competitor Shein has also raised prices, they have opted against implementing a separate, explicit “import charge,” at least for now.

    This pricing adjustment comes after both Temu and Shein issued warnings a few weeks ago, stating that U.S. consumers should expect to see prices rise, starting around April 25th, due to the impact of the imposed tariffs.

    The combined effect of the 145% tariff on Chinese-made goods, alongside the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate the customs exemption that previously allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free, has fundamentally disrupted the business models of these popular e-commerce platforms. This change forces them to pass the added costs onto consumers, potentially impacting their competitive edge in the U.S. market.

  • # Shop ‘Til You Drop: ChatGPT Search Gets a Shopping Upgrade

    ## Shop ‘Til You Drop: ChatGPT Search Gets a Shopping Upgrade

    OpenAI is beefing up ChatGPT’s search capabilities, turning the popular chatbot into a more potent shopping companion. Announced on Monday, the update aims to provide users with a streamlined and personalized online shopping experience, directly within the ChatGPT interface.

    When users search for products, ChatGPT will now offer targeted recommendations, complete with images, reviews, and direct links to purchase pages. OpenAI emphasizes the ability to pose hyper-specific questions in natural language, promising tailored results for each user. The initial rollout will focus on categories like fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics.

    This new feature is available today in GPT-4o, the default AI model, for all ChatGPT users, including Pro, Plus, Free, and even those logged out.

    This move is a clear signal that OpenAI is aiming to challenge Google’s dominance in the search market by offering a more personalized and potentially less ad-driven approach to finding products and information. Online shopping remains a crucial revenue stream for Google, but the heavy reliance on advertising has arguably impacted the quality of its search results over time.

    According to OpenAI, ChatGPT search is rapidly gaining traction, with users conducting over a billion web searches within the chatbot just last week.

    Interestingly, OpenAI is explicitly stating that the shopping results are determined independently, based on structured metadata from third-party sources like pricing, product descriptions, and reviews. The company will not receive any commission or affiliate fees from purchases made through ChatGPT search, at least for now.

    However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hinted at a potential shift in strategy, suggesting he’s open to “tasteful” advertising models in the future, where OpenAI might earn affiliate fees without prioritizing ad placement in search results.

    Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to integrate its “memory” feature with the shopping experience for Pro and Plus subscribers. This means ChatGPT will leverage past conversations to generate even more personalized product recommendations, further enhancing the shopping experience. The company has already rolled out memory-enhanced web searches more broadly. However, these memory features will not be available in the EU, the U.K., Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein due to regulatory restrictions.

    In addition to shopping enhancements, ChatGPT search now displays trending searches as users type, mirroring Google Search’s autocomplete functionality. Furthermore, ChatGPT search has expanded to WhatsApp, allowing users to access up-to-date information directly via messaging.

    Previously, OpenAI experimented with shopping features through its AI “agent” platform, Operator. While Operator offered a deep dive into web pages to find relevant products, it was a slower process. This new ChatGPT search with shopping promises a more immediate and user-friendly experience, all while retaining the power of natural language queries.

    With these updates, OpenAI is solidifying ChatGPT’s position as a multifaceted tool, going beyond simple text generation to offer a more comprehensive and engaging user experience. Whether this translates to a genuine challenge to Google’s search empire remains to be seen, but the future of online shopping may very well be shaped by these evolving AI capabilities.

  • # Price Hike Incoming: Temu and Shein Announce US Price Increases Due to Tariff Changes

    ## Price Hike Incoming: Temu and Shein Announce US Price Increases Due to Tariff Changes

    Get ready to pay a little more for your ultra-cheap hauls. Fast-fashion giants Temu and Shein have both announced they will be raising prices in the US, citing changes to “global trade rules and tariffs.” The price adjustments are set to begin on April 25th.

    The move comes in response to significant tariff increases on goods imported from China. Under President Trump’s administration, these tariffs have surged, reaching up to 145 percent on some goods. Moreover, the administration is indicating that tariffs on specific imports, such as electric vehicles, could skyrocket to a staggering 245 percent when combined with existing levies.

    A particularly impactful change is the elimination of the *de minimis* exemption, which has allowed goods valued under $800 to bypass tariffs. This exemption has been a cornerstone of Shein and Temu’s business model, enabling them to offer incredibly low prices. As of May 2nd, both companies will no longer be able to utilize this loophole.

    “Until April 25, prices will stay the same, so you can shop now at today’s rates,” both companies have stated on their respective websites, urging customers to take advantage of the current pricing. They also assure shoppers that they are “doing everything we can to keep prices low and minimize the impact on you.”

    Interestingly, the price hike announcement coincides with a reduction in digital ad spending by both companies. App analysis firm Sensor Tower reports that Temu slashed its digital ad spending on US social media platforms by an average of 31 percent between March 31st and April 13th, compared to the preceding 30 days. Shein’s ad spend also dipped, albeit by a smaller margin of 19 percent, during the same period.

    This combination of rising prices and reduced advertising suggests a strategic shift for Temu and Shein as they navigate the evolving trade landscape and the end of their tariff-free ride in the US market. For bargain hunters, it’s a signal to grab those deals before the price tags increase.

  • # Temu ve Shein ABD’de Fiyatları Artırıyor: Ucuz Alışveriş Dönemi Sona mı Eriyor?

    ## Temu ve Shein ABD’de Fiyatları Artırıyor: Ucuz Alışveriş Dönemi Sona mı Eriyor?

    Popüler hızlı moda ve e-ticaret platformları Temu ve Shein, ABD’deki müşterilerine kötü haberi duyurdu: Fiyatlar artacak. Her iki şirket de neredeyse aynı anda yaptıkları açıklamalarla, 25 Nisan’dan itibaren “küresel ticaret kuralları ve tarifelerdeki değişiklikler” nedeniyle fiyat ayarlamalarına gideceklerini belirtti.

    Bu fiyat artışının temelinde, eski ABD Başkanı Donald Trump’ın Çin’den ithal edilen mallara uyguladığı tarifeler yatıyor. Bu tarifeler bazı ürünlerde %145’e kadar çıkarken, elektrikli araçlar gibi belirli ithalat kalemlerinde bu oran %245’e kadar yükselebiliyor.

    Ancak sorun sadece tarifelerle sınırlı değil. Yönetim ayrıca, Shein ve Temu’nun yıllardır faydalandığı ve 800 doların altındaki ürünlerin tarifeden muaf tutulmasını sağlayan “de minimis” muafiyetini de kaldırıyor. Bu muafiyetin 2 Mayıs’tan itibaren kalkmasıyla birlikte, her iki şirket de ucuz giyimden oyuncaklara, elektronikten ev ürünlerine kadar geniş bir yelpazede sundukları ürünler için artık tarife ödemek zorunda kalacak.

    Temu ve Shein, web sitelerinde müşterilerine “25 Nisan’a kadar fiyatlar aynı kalacak, bu nedenle bugünün fiyatlarıyla alışveriş yapabilirsiniz,” diyerek uyarıda bulunuyor. Ayrıca, “Fiyatları düşük tutmak ve sizin üzerinizdeki etkiyi en aza indirmek için elimizden geleni yapıyoruz,” şeklinde bir açıklamaya yer veriyorlar.

    Bu gelişmelerin yanı sıra, uygulama analiz şirketi Sensor Tower, Shein ve Temu’nun ABD’deki sosyal medya platformlarındaki dijital reklam harcamalarını da kıstığını raporladı. Temu’nun reklam harcamaları 31 Mart – 13 Nisan tarihleri arasında önceki 30 güne kıyasla ortalama %31 azalırken, Shein’in harcamaları ise aynı dönemde ortalama %19 düştü.

    Sonuç olarak, artan tarifeler ve muafiyetin kalkmasıyla birlikte, Temu ve Shein’den alışveriş yapan ABD’li tüketiciler daha yüksek fiyatlarla karşılaşacaklar. Ucuz ve hızlı moda alışverişine alışkın olan tüketiciler için bu durum, alışveriş alışkanlıklarını yeniden gözden geçirme zamanının geldiğini işaret ediyor olabilir. Peki bu durum, diğer pazarlarda da benzer fiyat artışlarına yol açacak mı, zamanla göreceğiz.