A recent survey by the German e-commerce and distance selling trade association (bevh) highlights the growing influence of discount online marketplaces such as Temu and Shein, especially during Christmas shopping in 2025. These platforms accounted for nearly 5 percent of all online orders in Germany, reflecting a broader shift toward low-cost purchases amid declining purchasing power. The survey revealed that most consumers, particularly those over 30, were reluctant to explain why they use these platforms, while 60.7 percent of shoppers under 30 openly cited low prices, discounts, and special offers as their primary motivation.
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Despite widespread media reports highlighting lower quality, safety concerns, and the presence of harmful substances in goods sold by these providers, many consumers continue to shop on these platforms. Approximately a quarter of respondents said they simply cannot afford to avoid these discount platforms, indicating that financial constraints are driving risk acceptance. Many consumers also expressed confidence in their own judgment, with 40.2 percent dismissing critical media reports and 53.5 percent trusting their ability to assess product safety. About one-third of users take advantage of return policies to test inexpensive products and return any that are defective.
Industry experts note that efforts by retailers, politicians, and consumer protection groups to encourage safer and more sustainable shopping have limited impact while economic pressures persist. Alien Mulyk, Managing Director of Public Affairs Europe & International at bevh, emphasised that improving the economic situation is key to allowing consumers to shop responsibly. Until then, the enforcement of existing laws by authorities and customs remains critical to protect buyers from unsafe products. The findings underscore the tension between affordability and product safety in the current online retail environment.
Source: www.moebelfertigung.com
