When Leeds-based retailer Spot On-Line (SOL) joined Temu's marketplace in early 2025, sales jumped from zero to £1,500 daily within a month. In less than a year, the online discount store is opening a second distribution center, bolstered by its success on Temu, and forecasts an additional £3 million in revenue this year.

"We went from selling nothing to about £1,500 a day within a month," said Spencer Saunders, Marketplace Director at SOL. "Within six months, we were tracking around £6,500 a day in sales, which is really unheard of."

SOL, which specializes in affordable home and craft supplies, jumped on Temu in order to reach more consumers. Temu started onboarding UK sellers late last year.

New Distribution Facility and Headcount

The surge in sales is driving more investment in Yorkshire. With its success on the platform, SOL is developing a second distribution facility in Leeds dedicated to handling Temu orders, and plans to hire five to eight new employees for picking, packing and dispatching.

The new facility will increase order-handling capacity and enable faster delivery to UK customers.

"We've opened up this brand-new sales channel and all of a sudden the business is forecasted to make an extra £3 million in revenue this year," said Edward Sharry, Managing Director of SOL's parent group, Purston Park Group.

Connecting with the Right Audience

Founded in 2018, SOL originally focused on supplying trade customers with everyday essentials like stationery, partyware and pet supplies. As inflation squeezed household budgets, the company pivoted toward direct-to-consumer sales.

"The cost-of-living crisis is forcing people to be more selective about where they shop," said Saunders. "Our strategy of offering great value fits closely with what Temu is known for, and that alignment has helped us grow quickly."

Research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) estimates that UK households could save up to £3,000 per year by shopping through direct distribution channels like Temu, making SOL’s presence on the platform compatible with its direct-to-consumer strategy.

Looking Ahead

With its UK operations stabilizing, SOL plans to expand into the United States later this year and Ireland next, with European markets targeted for 2026.

"For sellers looking to expand, Temu offers an unbeatable advantage," said Saunders. "It puts our products in front of millions of active shoppers without the usual high costs of advertising or marketplace fees.

“The platform practically does the selling for us."