The Chinese e-commerce platform DHgate has risen to become the second most popular free app for iPhone users in the U.S., and it’s not the only Chinese shopping app gaining from President Trump’s tariffs on imports from China. Taobao, another prominent app, has also made its way into the Top 5 as of Thursday.
In recent days, U.S. consumers have turned to these apps following a surge of TikTok videos from Chinese manufacturers. These videos have highlighted how a significant portion of the luxury goods market is based in China, asserting that many high-end products—from clothing to handbags—are manufactured there before being shipped to their respective countries, such as Italy or France, where they are repackaged with the brand’s labels. Creators on TikTok, both American and Chinese, have pointed to e-commerce platforms like DHgate and Taobao as alternatives for purchasing directly from manufacturers, thus avoiding the steep markups typically associated with luxury brands.
Amid rising prices on popular platforms like Shein and Temu, U.S. shoppers quickly began to download these alternatives. In April, Taobao recorded around 185,000 downloads, marking a staggering 514% rise from the previous month’s 30,000 downloads, according to data from Appfigures. Similar to DHgate, Taobao saw its downloads skyrocket over the past weekend, with a 5.7-fold increase in installations from Friday to Saturday. It reached No. 461 in the Top Overall rankings on the iOS App Store (excluding games) by Saturday, climbed to No. 188 by Sunday, and reached the fifth spot by Thursday.
This change in rankings illustrates an increase in app installations, their rapid growth, and various other contributing factors. Taobao saw its ranking in the Shopping category jump from No. 49 on Saturday to No. 2, surpassing major competitors like Walmart, Amazon, Shein, and Temu. Furthermore, the Chinese app Alibaba.com is also gaining traction, now ranked as the sixth shopping app on the U.S. App Store.
Interestingly, Appfigures notes that Taobao had never made it to the Top Overall charts on the U.S. App Store in its historical data, which dates back to January 1, 2017.
While switching to these shopping apps won’t eliminate tariffs on Chinese imports for U.S. consumers, many shoppers believe that purchasing directly from manufacturers could lower their overall expenses. For others, it’s simply a way to find luxury-inspired products or duplicates at more affordable prices. However, it’s essential for consumers to exercise caution when using these marketplaces, as the quality of products can vary. Buyers are advised to check seller reviews and look at photos from previous customers before finalizing their purchases.
