China has a new leader in the online shopping arena. According to a CNBC report citing Goldman Sachs, PDD, the parent company of the popular Pinduoduo app, has overtaken Alibaba to become the most valuable e-commerce company in China. This shift is attributed to PDD’s focus on offering value for money and the rapid expansion of its international marketplace, Temu. Notably, Temu was the most-downloaded shopping app in the US in 2023.
This is not the first time Pinduoduo app has surpassed Alibaba, but it follows a brief period during which Alibaba regained the top spot. PDD’s impressive financial performance, with net income tripling year-over-year, alongside Alibaba’s recent struggles, has solidified PDD’s position at the top.
PDD’s market capitalization reached $208 billion, outpacing Alibaba’s $196 billion, bolstered by strong first-quarter results. Over the past year, PDD’s stock price has doubled. Analysts attribute PDD’s success to several key factors:
Temu’s Profitability: A new business model with lower logistics costs is expected to enhance Temu’s profitability more quickly than anticipated.
Strong Brand Image: Consumers view PDD as a reliable source for deals, placing it ahead of competitors like JD.com and Alibaba, according to a recent survey.
Temu’s International Expansion: The platform’s popularity, driven by its “shop like a billionaire” marketing campaign, is fueling growth in the US, Europe, and Australia.
Goldman Sachs analysts have upgraded PDD’s rating to “buy,” highlighting its advertising potential and Temu’s untapped value. They believe that concerns about competition and political tensions are already factored into the market. Meanwhile, Alibaba‘s net income has seen a significant decline compared to the previous year, underscoring the evolving landscape of China’s e-commerce market. PDD’s value-driven approach is clearly resonating with consumers, reshaping the competitive dynamics in the industry.