Belgian retailers angry with bpost over collaboration with Temu

The fact that bpost is entering into a partnership with Chinese web platform Temu has rubbed many Belgian retailers up the wrong way: “A slap in the face for thousands of Belgian traders who do respect the rules.”

“Practices that undermine our economy”

On Wednesday, Temu and bpostgroup announced that they would be expanding their current partnership in Belgium and Canada to broaden delivery options for consumers and develop new initiatives. This announcement has been poorly received by independent retailers and retail chains in Belgium.

Trade federation Comeos reacted with dismay: “For thousands of Belgian retailers who do respect the rules, this is a slap in the face.” The federation claims that a large part of Temu’s range does not comply with European product safety standards. Furthermore, the platform allegedly circumvents customs controls through incorrect valuations, false data and misuse of VAT numbers. “By working with Temu, bpost is normalising practices that undermine our economy and our values.”

“Painful signal”

Unizo, a group representing independent entrepreneurs, is equally outraged: “This is an incomprehensible choice that reinforces unfair competition, dumping, flagrant violations of privacy and consumer protection, and accelerates a race to the bottom that further undermines local traders. It sends a very clear and painful signal to Belgian entrepreneurs.”

Both organisations point out that bpost is still largely a government-owned company and has a public mission. Comeos is asking Minister of Public Enterprises Vanessa Matz to immediately review this collaboration.