Manchester Bedding Supplier Expands into Consumer Sales with Temu
For more than a decade, Will, owner of Manchester-based bedding supplier Rose Empire, built his business around wholesale trade, supplying products to distributors across the UK.
His Rose Empire flagship store on Derby Street served bulk buyers, but until recently, direct-to-consumer sales were not part of his business model.
That changed when a representative from Temu, an online marketplace, approached him last October with a proposal to sell directly to consumers. The move has added a new revenue stream to his company, complementing its existing wholesale operations.
Going Direct
Will had previously considered selling directly to consumers after a distributor placed an order worth tens of thousands of pounds, prompting him to explore new avenues. He attempted to list products on other e-commerce platforms but found the onboarding process difficult, citing a lack of support for smaller sellers. The technical challenges and repeated need to resolve issues eventually led him to abandon the effort.
With Temu, the experience was different, he said. With assistance from the platform’s merchant service team, he registered as a seller and launched his first product listing in November, completing the process in less than a week. “What made the transition manageable was the around-the-clock support provided by Temu,” he said.
The results came quickly. In his first month, sales outperformed expectations, suggesting strong demand for competitively priced bedding products.
“It wasn’t just about the platform or the technology—it was the human touch that stood out,” Will said. “The account managers were always available to answer questions, offer real support, and even provide constant encouragement. For someone like me, starting from scratch in B2C, that made all the difference.”
Rapid Growth
Temu, which launched in the UK in April 2023, has grown rapidly by targeting price-conscious consumers. It has become one of the most visited e-commerce sites globally and was named a top Apple-recommended app in 2024.
The platform began onboarding UK-based sellers in the second half of last year, positioning itself as a low-cost alternative for merchants seeking access to online shoppers without significant upfront investment. Temu says it is actively recruiting more local businesses and expects 50 per cent of its UK sales to come from domestic sellers and warehouses by the end of 2025. The company says the expansion of this model will reduce delivery times and broaden product availability.
“Temu estimates as much as 80% of its European business could eventually come from its local-to-local model, enabling sellers to reach new customers across regions,” said Chris Dawson, editor of ChannelX, which tracks developments in the e-commerce sector. “That’s a massive opportunity for brands and retailers.”
Temu ranks among the top retailers for value for money and wide product selection, according to a study by OC&C Strategy Consultants. A study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) reflects the big savings for customers – UK households could save around £3,000 a year shopping on direct distribution channels like Temu.
‘Game Changer’
Will continues to operate his wholesale business but sees direct-to-consumer sales as a growing opportunity.
“B2B still accounts for the majority of my sales volume, but I’m genuinely excited about the possibilities Temu offers,” he said. He continues to supply resellers while also selling directly to consumers. “For customers, it means they get the same quality product at the lowest price on Temu.”
“Temu has been a game-changer and opened up new possibilities for my business,” he added. “I’m excited to see where this journey takes us next.”
