Online retailer Temu is tapping into Canada’s growing buy-local movement by inviting Canadian businesses to sell directly on its platform for the first time.
As part of its second anniversary in Canada, Temu is launching a local-to-local model, aiming to connect Canadian sellers with Canadian consumers. The move is expected to expand the platform’s offerings while giving shoppers more access to homegrown products.
“For consumers, the addition of local sellers means they’ll soon be able to shop for their favourite homegrown products on Temu,” the company said in a statement. “By introducing more locally stocked options, we’re making it easier for businesses to connect with millions of shoppers while improving the overall shopping experience.”
Temu, which first launched in the U.S. in September 2022 and expanded to Canada in January 2023, now operates in 90 markets worldwide. The company says businesses registered in Canada with local inventory and fulfillment capabilities can apply to join the platform at ca.seller.temu.com.
The initiative comes as more Canadians actively seek ways to support domestic businesses, particularly in response to renewed U.S. tariff threats from President Donald Trump, which are set to take effect in March. Several platforms, including the O SCANada app, Well Made in Canada, and Shop Local Canada, have already emerged to help consumers find Canadian-made products.
Retail expert Bruce Winder believes Temu’s move is well-timed. “It offers Canadian companies another distribution channel to sell their products to Temu’s millions of Canadian customers,” he said in a recent Retail Insider article.
The initiative has also gained traction on social media. “If you’re a Canadian business looking to get your products in front of more local buyers, this could be the perfect chance to grow,” posted e-commerce brand Purple Cow on X.
By providing Canadian businesses with access to a massive online marketplace, Temu hopes to help local sellers expand their reach and boost sales, further fueling the buy-local trend.