Temu was the most downloaded shopping app worldwide in 2024, as consumers sought options to address inflation, high interest rates, and economic uncertainty, according to a press communique.
The platform’s success also reflects a growing consumer preference for one-stop shopping experiences offering a wide range of products across sectors at competitive prices, according to Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile 2025 Report.
“Consumers increasingly look for platforms where they can shop across sectors,” said the report, which analyzed iOS App Store and Google Play data from 1 January 2014, through 31 December 2024. Temu’s “supply chain advantage allows it to offer free shipping and bargain pricing, resonating globally as consumers grapple with inflation, rising interest rates, and an uncertain geopolitical environment,” it added.
Milestone
According to the report, Temu ranked as the fourth-fastest app launched in the past three years to reach 50mn monthly active users (MAUs) globally, achieving the milestone within eight months of its September 2022 debut.
Temu’s pricing strategy is underpinned by a direct-from-factory model, connecting shoppers directly with manufacturers. By cutting out intermediaries, the platform maintains competitive pricing and operational efficiency. Since its U.S. launch in September 2022, Temu has expanded to 90 markets, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Local fulfillment enables Temu to offer bulkier merchandise, such as furniture, industrial equipment, and other high-value items that may not have been readily available online previously.
Delivery speed is also expected to improve, with fulfillment times for some items reduced to as quickly as the next business day, the press statement concluded.
