Beyond Amazon: Should You Expand to Walmart, TikTok Shop, or Temu in 2025?

Amazon Isn’t Enough Anymore—Where Should You Sell Next?

Selling on Amazon is tougher than ever. Competition is fierce, advertising costs are rising, and profit margins keep shrinking. More sellers are fighting for the same buyers, making it harder to stand out. If you want to scale your business, you need to explore other options.

That’s where Walmart, TikTok Shop, and Temu come in. Each platform offers unique advantages, but not every marketplace will be the right fit for your business. Expanding beyond Amazon can reduce risk, increase brand visibility, and unlock new revenue streams. The key is choosing the right platform.

So, should you start selling on Walmart, TikTok Shop, or Temu in 2025? Let’s break down the opportunities and challenges of each.

E-commerce Trends for 2025: Why Sticking to One Platform Is Risky

The way people shop is evolving. Consumers want convenience, better prices, and engaging shopping experiences. They aren’t loyal to a single platform. Instead, they browse multiple marketplaces to find the best deals, fastest shipping, or most exciting products.

What’s Driving This Change?

• Walmart is rapidly expanding its marketplace, offering competitive fees and trusted branding to attract more third-party sellers.
• TikTok Shop is reshaping e-commerce with video-driven social selling, making product discovery more interactive and engaging.
• Temu is aggressively capturing market share by offering ultra-low prices and a streamlined shopping experience.

Relying on one marketplace is dangerous. A single policy change, algorithm update, or account suspension can wipe out your sales overnight. Expanding to other platforms provides stability and unlocks new opportunities. Should you make the jump? Let’s explore the pros and cons of each marketplace.

Selling on Walmart vs. Amazon: Worth the Switch?

Amazon is the go-to marketplace for online sellers, but Walmart is quickly becoming a strong alternative. With lower fees and a growing customer base, Walmart Marketplace is an attractive option for many sellers.

Pros of Selling on Walmart

• Lower fees than Amazon: Walmart’s referral fees are often lower, which helps increase profit margins.
• Less competition: With fewer third-party sellers, your products have a better chance of ranking higher in search results.
• Trusted brand: Millions of shoppers already trust Walmart, making it easier to convert visitors into buyers.
• Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS): Similar to Amazon’s FBA, WFS allows sellers to use Walmart’s fulfillment network for fast shipping.

Cons of Selling on Walmart

• Strict approval process: Walmart carefully vets new sellers, making it harder to get approved.
• Limited advertising tools: While Walmart Ads are improving, they still lack the reach and sophistication of Amazon PPC.
• No built-in Prime equivalent: Walmart+ exists, but it’s not as popular as Amazon Prime.

Pros of Selling on Amazon

• Massive Customer Base: Amazon dominates online retail, with millions of daily shoppers.
• Advanced Advertising Tools: Amazon PPC, DSP, and Sponsored Ads offer precise targeting to boost sales.
• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): Amazon handles storage, shipping, and returns, making it easier to scale.

Cons of Selling on Amazon

• High Fees: Amazon’s referral fees, FBA costs, and rising ad expenses can eat into profits.
• Intense Competition: Many niches are saturated, making it harder to stand out.
• Policy Risks: Amazon frequently changes rules, and account suspensions are common.

Best for: Established sellers with strong branding and logistics capabilities.

Takeaway: Walmart offers a great alternative, but it’s not a plug-and-play solution like Amazon.

TikTok Shop for Online Sellers: The Social Commerce Boom

TikTok isn’t just for viral dances anymore—it’s a powerful e-commerce engine. With its algorithm-driven content and highly engaged audience, TikTok Shop is turning short videos into big sales.

Why TikTok Shop Is Winning

• High Engagement: Unlike traditional marketplaces, TikTok users actively interact with content, increasing the chances of impulse buys.
• Viral Potential: One well-placed video can generate thousands of sales overnight.
• Young Audience: Gen Z and Millennials love discovering new products through TikTok.

Pros of Selling on TikTok Shop

• Lower Advertising Costs: TikTok Ads are cheaper than Amazon PPC, offering better ROI.
• Influencer Partnerships: Working with TikTok creators can drive instant credibility and sales.
• Video-first Selling: Demonstrating your product in action builds trust faster than static images.

Cons of Selling on TikTok Shop

• Unpredictable Algorithm: Success depends on content performance, not just product quality.
• Heavy Reliance on Influencers: Without partnerships, it can be harder to gain traction.
• Customer Service Challenges: Returns and support issues can be more difficult than traditional marketplaces.

Best for: Sellers with visually appealing products that work well in short videos.

Takeaway: If your product thrives in video content, TikTok Shop is a must-try in 2025.

Selling on Temu: A High-Volume, Low-Margin Game

Temu is the new player in e-commerce, focusing on aggressive pricing and mass-market reach. It’s not for every seller, but it does offer opportunities.

What Makes Temu Different?

• Ultra-low Prices: Temu competes on affordability, not branding.
• Massive Customer Base: Millions shop daily, seeking the best deals.
• Factory-direct Model: Many sellers face direct competition from manufacturers.

Pros of Selling on Temu

• Easy Onboarding: Unlike Walmart, Temu is open to most sellers.
• No Upfront Costs: Temu covers fulfillment and returns, reducing overhead.
• Global Expansion: Temu’s reach continues to grow, offering access to international markets.

Cons of Selling on Temu

• Low-profit Margins: Price competition makes it hard to maintain strong margins.
• Less Brand Control: Temu prioritizes its ecosystem over individual sellers.
• Quality Concerns: Shoppers expect low prices, often at the expense of premium product perception.

Best for: Sellers who can produce at scale and compete on price.

Takeaway: If you can handle low margins, Temu offers a fast-growing customer base.

Final Thoughts: Which Marketplace Should You Choose?

There is no one-size-fits-all marketplace. Walmart is ideal if you want an Amazon alternative with lower fees and a growing customer base. TikTok Shop is best for brands with video-friendly products that thrive on social engagement and viral potential. Temu suits sellers focused on price-sensitive, high-volume sales with a global reach. Evaluate your products, audience, and marketing strengths to choose the platform that aligns with your business goals.

Pro Tip: Start Small, Then Scale

Test one platform, measure results, then expand. Diversification is key to long-term success.

Don’t wait until Amazon makes selling harder—start expanding today!