Fast-fashion company Shein and TikTok's shopping unit are expanding in Amazon.com's territory, seeking ees and building out workspaces in the same Seattle-area office tower. The two companies are bolstering their staff at a 22-story tower near Seattle known as the Key Center, and both are recruiting current and former Amazon employees as they expand their U.S. logistics and supply-chain operations.
The move into Amazon's home city represents a new front in what has quickly grown into one of the tech giant's greatest retail threats. Shein, TikTok and e-commerce company Temu, all of which have Chinese roots and close ties to sellers in Asia where many products sold on Amazon originate, are investing heavily in U.S.online shopping.
TikTok launched a shopping tool on its app last year, and Shein has become America's largest fast-fashion seller. Many of the e-commerce products TikTok creators market on that platform are from Shein, though TikTok says hundreds of thousands of products come from other sellers.
Seattle has long been a hub for logistics talent because of Amazon's presence, said Will Gordon, a former Amazon executive and co-founder of Latchel, which sells home-maintenance services.
But companies that try to replicate Amazon's success aren't guaranteed to do well, Gordon said. Logistics firms like Flexport and now-defunct Convoy have relied on former Amazon talent and struggled.
"What works at Amazon may not work at another company," Gordon said. "The Amazon way-the process and metrics-driven approach-has to be adapted." Shein, which operates a large office in Los Angeles, appears to be just getting started in the Seattle area, with only a handful of employees there now, including head of logistics, Wei "Andy" Huang, who formerly worked at Amazon and Chinese conglomerate Alibaba.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unregulated and volatile: Is crypto worth the gamble?
India’s crypto landscape is a complex mix of volatility, cybersecurity risks and regulatory gaps
A 'dark' tour of Ukraine's war-ravaged cities
Tour companies are offering thrill-seeking tourists packages to visit sights of tragic events, hoping to make money and raise awareness
Shades of art and coffee
A Mint guide to what's happening in and around your city
AI effect: Business efficiency but puffed-out workers?
Upskill. Upgrade. Retrain. Reskill. Words that are sprinkled liberally in the business updates of many listed firms of India Inc. While companies have begun to boast of their fast-increasing count of workers skilled in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, for us employees, the quickened pace of upskilling seems to be a race. A race that many did not volunteer to participate in, but cannot afford to watch from the sidelines. It is ironical that AI, which is expected to ease business complexities, may end up exhausting employees being pushed to Upskill, Upgrade and Retrain.
Here's how India can address the emerging scarcity of fresh water
It's time for the country to invest in future supplies through desalination plants that could be set up along our vast coastline
It won't be easy for Bessent to fix US finances but he should
Trump's chosen Treasury secretary will face a daunting challenge
India should consider a jobs-linked incentive scheme
Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data shows that around 12-13 million formal jobs are added every year. This is good news. On the other hand, data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy reveals an unemployment rate that has ranged from 7.2% to 9% this year.
Small government: Back with a bang or whimper?
Trump's push for a drastic scale-back of the American state could be a test case for others. Get it right, the economy booms. Get too radical, and big-bang reforms could backfire badly
How to keep your FIRE alive: Smart financial planning tips
Financial experts came together at the Mint Money Festival 2024 to discuss FIRE (financial independence, retire early), how to execute it, and things to look out for along the way.
Who doesn't love cash transfers but are these really the answer?
These schemes are easy to run and popular but do little to reduce the disadvantages women face
