Cross border e-commerce weekly report: TikTok launches new features, Amazon optimizes logistics network

The National Day holiday has just ended, and a lot has happened in the cross-border e-commerce market. Platforms such as TikTok, Amazon, and Temu have been frequently adjusting their strategies, striving to showcase their unique charm and vitality. Let’s take a look at the latest developments of these giants.

TikTok

1. Hot Products Ignite Vitality

The cat toy from the brand Potaroma Pets was launched on TikTok on June 11, 2024. This unique cat toy quickly attracted the attention of many pet lovers. It not only stimulates cats’ vitality but also trains their responsiveness, and offers three different gentle modes to fully meet the individual needs of different cats. In just a few months, 36,000 units of this product have been sold, with around 1,800 orders on September 21 alone, and it has received extremely high user ratings.

2. Factory Goes Viral, Showcasing Charm

A new materials factory in Guangdong has gone viral on TikTok, becoming a shining star in the cross-border e-commerce sector. A video posted by the factory showing workers laying shock-absorbing mats, though simple and unadorned, has garnered over 8.5 million views on TikTok. Currently, the factory’s TikTok account has more than 70,000 followers and over 320,000 likes.

3. New Features Inspire Creativity

TikTok continues to innovate, launching the new “Flip Stories” feature to provide users with more diverse ways to interact. This feature allows creators to add a second perspective to each story, and users can unlock hidden content with a simple flipping gesture. This innovative move greatly increases interaction between creators and fans, providing more creative space for creators.

Amazon

1. Facing Challenges and Adjustments

At the beginning of the holiday, Amazon faced a series of severe challenges. Flash sales and promotional events experienced widespread errors, and products were removed from promotional activities, causing great inconvenience to both sellers and consumers. Meanwhile, updates to tax identity information led to many accounts being notified of a risk of deactivation, which has had a certain impact on Amazon’s brand image and user trust.

2. Expanding New Market Layouts

Amazon has always had keen insight into global markets and an active expansion strategy. It plans to enter the Indian quick commerce market in early 2025, engaging in fierce competition with local companies. As a country with a huge population and a rapidly growing e-commerce market, India has always been a focal point for major e-commerce platforms.

3. Optimizing Logistics Network

To improve delivery efficiency, Amazon is developing small businesses into local delivery centers through the HubDelivery program, especially to cover remote rural areas. The program aims to improve the parcel delivery experience in remote areas, allowing more consumers to enjoy fast and convenient logistics services.

Temu

Temu is close to achieving EBITDA profitability in the US market, which is an impressive achievement. Since last year, Temu has gradually moved toward profitability by cutting advertising spending and focusing on increasing the activity and purchase frequency of existing users. The development of this cross-border e-commerce platform, incubated by Pinduoduo, in the US market shows that Chinese e-commerce companies have the potential to succeed in overseas markets.

Other Social Media E-commerce Trends

1. Snapchat’s Influence Stands Out

Research shows that among young people, especially Gen Z, Snapchat’s influence on purchasing decisions surpasses that of TikTok and Instagram, with Facebook being the weakest. 82% of Gen Z buyers make purchases because of creators, and 5.6% of consumers influenced by creators or opinion leaders on social media say their shopping decisions are affected.

2. YouTube’s New Moves

YouTube has topped the list of news consumption platforms and remains a giant in the online news sector. At the same time, YouTube will launch a new feature on October 18, allowing users to upload short videos up to three minutes long, whereas the previous limit was 60 seconds. This move will make it easier for users to cross-post content between TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The new template feature and mobile trend page also provide users with more opportunities for creation and sharing.

3. Shopee Reaffirms Genuine Product Guarantee

With the Double Ten sales promotion approaching, Shopee has once again reiterated that all brands and products sold in Shopee Mall stores are genuine. All brands under Shopee Mall have undergone strict verification to ensure that every product sold is 100% authentic, providing consumers with a more reassuring shopping environment.

From TikTok’s innovative initiatives to Amazon’s market layout, from Temu’s profitability expectations to the trends of other social media e-commerce platforms, every step reflects the strategic planning of the giants. For cross-border e-commerce companies, keeping up with these trends and adjusting their own strategies in a timely manner is the key to standing out in the competition.