According to the Commission, Temu exposes users to illegal and unsafe products, fails to ensure adequate consumer protection, and lacks transparency in its algorithms.

In May 2024, Temu reached over 45 million monthly active users in the EU, placing it under the “Very Large Online Platform” (VLOP) category. This status brings stricter obligations and oversight. However, the Commission claims that Temu has not fulfilled its legal responsibilities under this classification.

Mystery shopping tests conducted by the EU revealed significant safety risks in several product categories sold on the platform, particularly children’s toys, small electronic devices, and cosmetics. Authorities stated that the likelihood of encountering unsafe or illegal products on Temu is “high.” Moreover, the company’s submitted risk assessment report was deemed superficial and based on general industry data rather than specific market analysis.

Temu’s addictive design has come under criticism

Temu’s mobile app interface has also come under scrutiny for its use of “gamified” features designed to encourage compulsive buying behavior. The Commission expressed concern over the potential negative impact of such designs, especially on younger users. Furthermore, Temu has failed to provide adequate transparency regarding how its recommendation algorithms work and has restricted access to data for independent researchers.

Temu has been granted the opportunity to respond to the allegations. However, if the violations are confirmed, the platform could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue and be required to implement serious corrective measures. EU officials hope the process will set a precedent for greater accountability in the digital marketplace.

India’s leading online food delivery and quick commerce platform, Swiggy, has made a significant move to reinforce its board of directors. The company appointed Faraz Khalid, CEO of the prominent Middle Eastern e-commerce platform Noon, as an independent board member. This appointment comes as part of Swiggy’s transition to a more independent and strategic governance structure following its public listing in 2024.

Faraz Khalid is recognized as a seasoned leader with extensive experience in e-commerce and quick commerce sectors. As CEO of Noon, he has driven the company’s growth and helped establish it as a strong player in the regional market through innovative strategies. Additionally, Khalid played a key role as a co-founder of Namshi, a fashion platform that was acquired by Noon in 2023 through a significant investment. His broad expertise and vision are expected to contribute substantially to Swiggy’s future goals.

“Faraz Khalid’s involvement marks a critical turning point”

Swiggy’s founder and CEO, Sriharsha Majety, highlighted that Khalid’s addition to the board marks a crucial milestone in the company’s growth and innovation journey. He emphasized that Khalid’s strategic and operational experience will enhance Swiggy’s competitive edge in the industry.

Furthermore, to support sustainable long-term growth, Swiggy has reappointed Shailesh Haribhakti as an independent board member starting 2026 and appointed former Tata Group executive Cauveri Sriram as company secretary and compliance officer. These governance measures reinforce Swiggy’s commitment to improving corporate governance standards and boosting investor confidence as a publicly traded company.

These steps are key elements of Swiggy’s strategy to maintain its dynamic structure while strengthening its leadership position in the market.

Walmart is working to transform itself from a “grocery chain” into a “global tech giant.” In this process, the company is reshaping its workforce and placing greater emphasis on e-commerce. The disclosed salary data shows that the company is heavily investing in its tech employees. It also suggests that Walmart is enhancing its workforce to compete with rivals such as Amazon, AliExpress, and Google. The data particularly highlights the salary ranges for roles in software development and project management.

According to Walmart’s employee data, a software engineer can earn a base salary of up to $286,000. Company filings submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor show that Walmart aimed to hire around 1,750 foreign workers through the H-1B visa program in the first half of this year. This represents a significant increase compared to approximately 1,100 workers during the same period two years ago. Of Walmart’s 45,000 open positions worldwide, more than two-thirds are in Walmart stores and Sam’s Club warehouses, while approximately 550 are in tech and analytics roles.

How Much Do Walmart Employees Earn?

Here is a breakdown of Walmart salary data:

Software Engineers
• Software Engineer III: $99,244 – $234,000
• Senior Software Engineer: $115,167 – $234,000
• Staff Software Engineer: $127,292 – $286,000
• Principal Software Engineer: $152,027 – $286,000

IT Project Managers
• Senior Product Manager: $121,000 – $286,000
• Staff Product Manager: $136,500 – $286,000
• Principal Product Manager: $145,332 – $286,000

Data Scientists
• Data Scientist III: $108,000 – $234,000
• Senior Data Scientist: $127,304 – $234,000
• Staff Data Scientist: $138,333 – $286,000
• Principal Data Scientist: $158,642 – $286,000

Senior UX Designers
• Senior Design Researcher: $142,002 – $234,000
• Senior Product Marketing Manager: $154,357 – $234,000
• Director of Advertising Sales: $229,477
• Senior UX Designer: $155,000 – $234,000
• Senior Manager of UX Design: $183,227 – $286,000

Team Leaders
• Director of Software Engineering: $190,486 – $312,000
• Director of Data Science: $188,885 – $338,000
• Distinguished Architect: $184,827 – $338,000
• Director of Product Management: $201,323 – $338,000
• Senior Director of Product Management: $208,000 – $416,000

A Walmart spokesperson stated that the company’s compensation packages include base salary, bonus opportunities, and stock awards, and that Walmart invests in the career development of its employees. Walmart’s total global workforce stands at 2.1 million people, approximately 1.6 million of whom are based in the United States.

Chinese Ministry of Commerce Meets with Walmart

With advanced technology and ongoing learning opportunities, Lazada enables Filipino brands to become more competitive and better prepared for the digital marketplace. Many brands on the platform are leveraging AI in key areas such as inventory management, demand forecasting, and customer engagement to optimize their operations.

AI also offers significant benefits for small businesses. Tools that streamline time-consuming tasks—such as writing product descriptions and enhancing images—help sellers work more efficiently.

Lazada Launches Training Programs for Sellers

Lazada is also taking major steps in education. Through “Lazada University,” the platform regularly provides its sellers with training on marketing strategies, content creation, and platform innovations. These efforts help sellers adapt quickly to shifting market dynamics.

To broaden global perspectives, Lazada Philippines recently sent 11 high-performing sellers to the Lazada-Alibaba E-Commerce Executive Training Program at Alibaba Campus in Hangzhou, China. Participants received expert-led training on digital marketing, AI applications, and international brand management. They also visited the Alibaba Museum and other innovation hubs to witness cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of retail.

“Our Sellers Are the Cornerstone of Our Platform”

Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines, stated, “Our sellers are the cornerstone of our platform. Through our investments in technology and education, we are building a sustainable and inclusive e-commerce ecosystem where anyone in the Philippines can succeed.”

Pauline Castro, Head of User Product Operations at Lazada Philippines, added, “Our investments in AI aim to empower both established brands and aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Sellers on Lazada emphasize that AI also enhances the customer experience. Accurate demand forecasting improves inventory management and reduces delivery times. Targeted marketing and engaging product presentations help consumers find what they need more quickly and shop with greater confidence.

Marketplaces Account for 40% of Global E-Commerce Growth

According to a new report published by Cymbio, a marketplace and social commerce infrastructure provider, marketplaces accounted for more than 40% of global e-commerce growth as of 2024. The same report states that direct-to-consumer channels contributed only 25% to this growth.

Marketplaces to Drive 53% of E-Commerce Growth by 2030

Cymbio’s analysis, supported by data from Capital One and eMarketer, forecasts that marketplaces will drive 53% of e-commerce growth by 2030. Daniel Hillyer from Cymbio’s Sales and Marketing Division emphasizes that the rapid increase in the number of brands today makes it difficult for consumers to find the right product, and that digital marketplaces serve as a search engine in this context.

Recently, many major retailers have turned to this model. Last year, Nordstrom launched its digital marketplace platform, while Walmart included the Premium Beauty category under its Marketplace. In March, Ulta Beauty announced a marketplace strategy to accelerate its online growth, and in April, Saks Fifth Avenue launched the “Saks on Amazon” initiative to sell selected luxury brands via Amazon.

According to Hillyer, the adoption of the marketplace model by these big names has changed the perception of this structure, which was previously viewed negatively by some brands. “Half of the brands we speak to clearly state that they want to be on the Nordstrom Marketplace,” he says.

New Brands Face Giants as They Enter the Market

However, joining this competition is not easy. As of 2025, new brands entering the market are up against giants like Amazon and TikTok Shop, which pursue aggressive pricing strategies. Amazon’s four-day Prime Day event could generate approximately $23.8 billion in online sales this year—a 28.4% increase compared to the previous year.

Since many brands are listed on the same marketplaces, offering discounts has become almost inevitable in order to stand out. Some platforms even absorb the cost of these discounts to attract consumers. Hillyer notes that players like TikTok Shop are implementing this strategy.

However, not all retailers can bear such financial burdens. For example, in its April financial presentation, LVMH stated that Amazon’s aggressive discounting strategy had negatively impacted Sephora’s digital growth. Therefore, many retailers prefer to step aside during major discount periods rather than trying to compete with Amazon.