Tens of thousands of Romanians risk running out of work due to international trade platforms

The companies in our country go through major difficulties due to the pressure put on sales by international platforms, especially TEMU, Shein and Trendyol, according to a study including the imminent danger of the dishes in the field.

Eight out of ten Romanian retail companies expect the activity to be affected by the international platforms in the next 12 months, shows the second wave of the study “The impact of international platforms on trade in Romania – future prospects”, commanded by the Romanian Association of Online Stores (ARMO) and made by Mia Marketing.

77% of companies anticipate that platforms outside the European Union, especially Temu, Shein and Trendyol – according to “Adevărul” information, will decrease the sales of Romanian companies.

Paradoxically, in the case of those who estimate the decrease of the turnover in 2025 compared to 2024, the main channel that will be contract is not the online, but the physical store of SMEs.

The data of the study reveal an accentuated polarization, which marks the expectations on 2025: only 9% of the retail companies provide for the increase of sales this year, while the majority relies on stagnation. Almost one of five trader is preparing for decrease, and for this group the physical/offline store is the main selling channel used today that will decrease.

“Irreversible losses of tens of thousands of jobs”

In the fight with international platforms, to remain on the surface, small and medium retailers change their strategy quickly. Online advertising budgets increase, because visibility in searches and feeds cost more and more. In parallel, 41% of the respondents say that they will shorten their supply chain, buying directly from the manufacturer to control speed and cost in a harder global competition.

“Electro & IT and Fashion are the categories that feel the pressure of international platforms in the highest degree. If these online and offline stores give in, the cascade effects mean empty deposits and spaces, unpaid rents and jobs lost – with direct impact on the Romanian tax and economy”points out Cristi Movilă, President Armo.

“We know from the INS that one in four Romanians work in Retail, the retail sector with almost one million employees at national level. Our study data shows where the chain breaks – the physical store is the most exposed, including for retailers who sell online. The signals transmitted in the last period including by the EuroCommerce colleagues confirm that the phenomenon is not only in the e – Traditional.said Cristian Pelivan, Armo Executive Director.

Temu, Shein and Trendyol decrease the sales of Romanian companies

Another market study conducted among Romanian, offline and online trade companies, regarding the effects of extending the big international electronic trade platforms on the domestic business environment, a severe balance, fueled by the lack of uniform rules for customs taxation and control of the quality of the products and services offered by the platforms outside the EU, being the Romanian companies.

Immediate impact of Asian platforms on local economy:

• 77% of Romanian companies expect that in the next 12 months the commercial activity will be affected by international platforms mainly by lowering sales.

• 75% of the respondents warn that small Romanian producers risk bankruptcy due to the pressure exerted by Temu, AliExpress, Trendyol and Shein.

• 73% of the respondents anticipate the reduction of profit, and 43% confirm the decrease in the number of customers.

• At the same time, 71% signal a possible growth of poor quality products on the market, affecting the experience of consumers and the image of the entire Romanian online sector.

• Temu, Trendyol and Shein are in the top of the best -known international marketplace platforms among the respondents, extended only by the Facebook social network

• TEMU and AliExpress have the biggest impact among the researchers and small companies in Romania.

• Shein and Trendyol most affect companies that sell clothes, footwear and accessories.

Sumber forecasts for 2025

The Romanian entrepreneurs are expected to continue the decline: 32% of the total affected traders foresee the decrease of sales this year, and almost 1 in 4 local producers that sell their products accuse the unfair competition of the Asian platforms by the prices of “dumping” practiced and the non -payment of the taxes due to the national budget.

The research shows that over half of the consulted Romanian companies are waiting for concrete measures from the national and European authorities:

• 65% demand programs dedicated to SMEs for adapting to digital and innovation.

• 62% requests the obligation of Asian platforms to fully comply with the national legislation and the EU for consumer protection.

• 61% will apply the same taxes that the Romanian companies pay.

• 55% support the introduction of customs duties for all imported goods from outside the EU, regardless of the value of the parcel.