Amazon has a new online store called Haul to compete with budget stores Temu and Shein. On Haul , everything costs $20 or less, and it’s only available for U.S. shoppers through the Amazon app.
Amazon promises very low prices, but customers may need to wait up to two weeks for delivery. This is similar to the business style of Temu and Shein, which have grown fast but faced problems. Some say these companies are wasteful and harm the environment with cheap, fast-made products. Retail expert Sucharita Kodali mentioned that Haul might face these same challenges.
Regulators worldwide have become concerned about very low-cost products that are mass-produced. Just last month, the European Commission began looking into Temu for possibly allowing illegal products to be sold.
Amazon’s Haul has a cap of $20 for items, and many will cost even less, around $10 or lower. Examples of these items include a three-piece razor set and a set of necklace, bracelet, and earrings for less than $3. Orders over $25 will qualify for free delivery, though shipping can take one to two weeks.
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Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide selling partner services, said, “Finding great products at very low prices is important to customers.” He also said that it’s still early for Haul, and Amazon will listen to feedback to improve it over time.
Amazon says all items on Haul come with product guarantees to make shoppers feel safe buying them. The company did not say when or if Haul would come to the UK. However, Kodali noted that if Haul doesn’t meet customer needs or isn’t profitable, it may not last long. Shoppers might not want poor-quality items or long delivery times, she added.
