Taobao, an online marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, has gained popularity in the US.

As of April 16, 2025, it ranked fifth among free apps on Apple’s App Store and third among shopping apps on Google Play, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower.

The app improved its position on the Apple App Store from 47th place just days earlier.

On Google Play, it jumped from 144th place during the same timeframe.

In the past 30 days, Taobao recorded 2 million global downloads, reflecting increasing interest in Chinese ecommerce platforms.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Social media has turbocharged cross-border e-commerce discovery

DHgate’s dramatic rise from 144th to 3rd place among shopping apps on Google Play showcases TikTok’s powerful role in driving e-commerce adoption.

The platform experienced a remarkable 940% increase in US downloads following viral videos about luxury goods manufacturing, creating an overnight sensation for an app previously unknown to most American consumers 1.

This trend isn’t entirely new. As far back as 2019, Chinese apps were already generating $674.8 million in US revenue, representing 22% of total sales from the top 100 apps with 67% year-over-year growth 2.

What sets this wave apart is how user-generated content has accelerated adoption, similar to how China’s Pinduoduo previously gained over 300 million consumers by focusing on social shopping mechanics 3.

The current surge demonstrates how social media has significantly shortened the discovery timeline for foreign shopping platforms from years to mere days.

2️⃣ Price sensitivity drives immediate consumer behavior shifts during trade tensions

American consumers are exhibiting rapid adaptation to economic pressures by seeking alternative purchasing channels.

The new 145% tariffs on many Chinese imports have triggered a predictable price-avoidance response, similar to previous tariff increases where consumers faced higher costs—such as when 2018 tariffs on washing machines led to an 11% increase in appliance prices 4.