Asian e-commerce platforms cause major economic losses in Austria and Germany

Asian e-commerce platforms Temu, Shein, and AliExpress are causing significant economic losses in Austria and Germany due to the shift of consumer spending to foreign markets.

In Austria, a report by the Society for Applied Economic Research (GAW) indicates that these platforms result in an annual GDP loss of approximately 212 million euros. This includes a 570 million euro drop in gross turnover for domestic trade and a loss of nearly 100 million euros in taxes and duties. The economic impact is estimated to affect more than 1,600 jobs and impacts various sectors, including production, construction, and gastronomy.

In Germany, the impact is even larger. An IW study commissioned by the German Retail Association estimates the annual loss in value creation for the German economy at 2.4 billion euros, with 1.3 billion euros of that loss occurring within the retail sector alone. In the second quarter of 2026, these platforms reached a record 5.3% share of German online trade, growing by more than 20% compared to the previous year.