In an unexpected twist of events, Chinese shopping apps like DHgate and Taobao are soaring in popularity among U.S. consumers, partly due to President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports. DHgate has become the second most downloaded free iPhone app in the U.S., and now Taobao has also joined the ranks, reaching the Top 5 list as of Thursday.
A surge of interest was sparked by a series of TikTok videos posted by Chinese manufacturers. These videos unveiled the inner workings of the luxury goods market, revealing that many high-end items such as clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories are originally produced in China. They are then sent to the brand’s home countries like Italy or France to be repackaged, sporting high-end labels.
Seizing the opportunity, U.S. and Chinese creators on TikTok pointed consumers towards apps like DHGate and Taobao. By purchasing directly from Chinese manufacturers, consumers could dodge the exorbitant prices imposed by luxury brands.
This shift was accelerated by the rising prices of other popular shopping platforms like Shein and Temu. Over the past few days, curious shoppers have been downloading these alternative apps at a staggering rate. In April alone, Taobao’s downloads surged to approximately 185,000, marking an impressive 514% increase from the previous month, according to app intelligence provider Appfigures. During a single weekend, app installations soared 5.7 times, propelling Taobao to new heights in the iOS App Store rankings.
By Sunday, Taobao climbed to No. 188 in the Top Overall app rankings and reached the coveted No. 5 spot by Thursday. The app’s newfound fame wasn’t just in the general charts; it also ascended to become the No. 2 Shopping app, surpassing giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Temu. Meanwhile, Alibaba.com, another Chinese contender, is steadily climbing the leaderboard as well.
Remarkably, this is Taobao’s first appearance on the Top Overall charts of the U.S. App Store since Appfigures began tracking data in 2017. While some U.S. consumers are hoping to bypass the tariffs, many are drawn by the prospect of acquiring luxury-style goods at significantly reduced prices.
However, it’s essential to proceed with caution. Quality can be inconsistent on these platforms, so it’s wise for users to scrutinize seller reviews and inspect photos from previous buyers before making a purchase. This newfound trend promises intriguing dynamics in the world of online shopping.
