Bundeskartellamt eröffnet Verfahren gegen Temu‑Mutterkonzern Whaleco
The German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) has opened an investigation into Whaleco Technology Limited — the company behind the online marketplace Temu — on suspicion that Temu unlawfully influenced the pricing of its marketplace sellers in Germany.
Why: Authorities are examining whether Temu set or pressured sellers on price policies that could restrict competition and lead to higher prices across sales channels.
“We suspect that Temu may be making unlawful demands regarding the pricing of sellers on the German marketplace. Such requirements could significantly restrict competition and ultimately lead to price increases on other sales channels” — Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt.
Temu has said it complies with applicable laws and will respond to the authority’s questions.
What this could mean
- For sellers: Possible limits on Temu’s ability to dictate prices; contracts and platform rules may be scrutinized or changed.
- For consumers: The probe aims to protect fair competition — this could preserve lower prices and prevent coordinated price increases across marketplaces.
- Short term: Investigation ongoing; no penalties announced. Market impact depends on findings.
Sources & further reading
- Handelsblatt (dpa): Prices — Bundeskartellamt opens proceedings against Temu
- n-tv: Authority examines Temu’s pricing in Germany
- STERN: Prices — Cartel Office opens proceedings against Temu
- WirtschaftsWoche: Temu — cartel office opens proceedings
Published: 8 October 2025 — Investigation ongoing.
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