Temu earns high marks from top German consumer watchdog

Temu, the online marketplace, has received strong endorsements for its quality, data security, and customer-friendly returns in a recent evaluation conducted by Stiftung Warentest, Germany’s leading consumer testing organisation.

Stiftung Warentest, known for its rigorous and impartial assessments, awarded Temu a “good” rating for its data handling and shopping experience. Notably, Temu’s return process received the highest possible rating of “very good.” The evaluation also confirmed that products purchased from the platform were “usable and as described,” addressing a key concern for consumers of online marketplaces.

This positive assessment from Stiftung Warentest holds significant weight, as the organisation is highly regarded by German consumers. Established in 1964 by the German federal parliament, Stiftung Warentest employs a strict five-point rating system, ranging from “very good” to “poor,” and only platforms meeting stringent quality and safety standards receive favourable ratings.

In its evaluation of major e-commerce platforms, Stiftung Warentest focused on quality assurance, data protection, and the overall shopping experience. Temu emerged as a top performer, earning praise for its consumer-friendly return process, which was deemed the best in the study.  The platform also received a “good” rating for its data handling and shopping experience, achievements that are noteworthy given the strict evaluation criteria employed by Stiftung Warentest.

Temu’s strong performance in the evaluation reflects its commitment to prioritising quality, security, and customer satisfaction.  Stiftung Warentest highlighted Temu’s return process as particularly consumer-friendly, noting that returns were handled free of charge and without complications, with full refunds issued promptly.

Germany is a key market for Temu, representing its largest in the EU with 17 million users. Since its European launch in April 2023, Temu has focused on building consumer trust by implementing a robust vetting system for sellers and products, along with proactive monitoring and swift corrective action to address any issues.

To further ensure compliance with quality and safety standards, Temu collaborates with globally recognised testing and certification organisations, including TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, SGS, and Bureau Veritas.  Temu has also obtained certification from Dekra, a respected German testing and certification body, for meeting the Mobile App Security Assessment (MASA) cybersecurity standard.

Since its initial launch in the U.S. in 2022, Temu has rapidly expanded to over 90 global markets, offering a wide selection of affordable, high-quality products.  The company is actively recruiting local sellers and expanding its local fulfilment operations in key markets, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Poland.

Temu’s local fulfilment model is expected to account for 80% of its European sales, supporting local businesses while providing consumers with access to competitively priced, high-quality products.