Selling things for cheap has long been a winning strategy for Chinese retailers.

Now, with inflation persisting, Chinese ecommerce companies are increasingly moving operations stateside to better serve their American patrons.

Leading the way…

… is Shein, a fast-fashion retailer that’s now the ninth most popular apparel brand among Gen Z women, per Morning Consult.

• The company is on track for $24B in sales this year, and saw US sales grow 43% YoY in Q1. For comparison, H&M’s sales dropped 10%, per Bloomberg.

Shein is popular for its ultra-low-priced, trendy clothing. One caveat? Shipping from China means 10- to 15-day waits. Shein is now looking to reduce that number by setting up US distribution centers focused on basics and seasonal items.

• Analysts question whether this will force Shein to raise prices, as bulk-shipping Chinese items will draw tariff charges and risk inventory challenges.

Shein has drawn criticism for its environmental impact and labor issues, including 18-hour workdays. With a larger US presence, criticism could grow.

Elsewhere…

… TikTok is hiring for dozens of roles to help build US fulfillment centers “from scratch.” The roles are based in Seattle — wink wink, Amazon.

Another app, Temu, recently became the most downloaded shopping app in the US, offering dirt-cheap prices on Chinese products.

A quick search on the app, and you’ll find sneakers, bike helmets, and sweaters for less than $10 each. No wonder its Chinese sibling, Pinduoduo, has 730m+ users.

A vending machine for cars is one of those crazy business ideas that sounds fake — until you spot one on the side of the highway.

Carvana has 34 vending machines across the US, and the glass structures can hold anywhere from ~20 to ~40 vehicles.

When in-person shopping slowed during the pandemic, Carvana’s online business boomed, pushing its stock from $29.35 in March 2020 to $360.98 in August 2021.

But what goes up, must come down

Just over a year later, Carvana’s stock is down 98% from its 2021 highs, and some analysts believe bankruptcy is inevitable.

What’s to blame?

• First, the easing of covid restrictions has led consumers to shop in person again.
• Second, despite used car prices falling, higher interest rates have made it harder to finance a car, draining demand.

As a result, Carvana’s vending machines aren’t churning through cars like they used to, and could end up being a monument to a future that was ahead of its time.

For over 500 years, job recruitment has been ruled by resumes, cover letters, and unscientific interviews.

But the industry has soared in the last two years, and VCs are flooding the funding. Cue our HR tech report, digging into new recruitment-related opportunities.

Inside are three concepts courtesy of Matt Alder, host of the Recruiting Future podcast — because there’s a Trendster for everything.

Try Trends for a buck:

• Access thousands of vetted startup ideas (new drops weekly)
• Join 15k entrepreneurs for insightful events and discussions

It’s content and community for digital experts and do-it-all entrepreneurs.

Airbnb once offered affordable travel that made you feel like a local.

Now, prices — and cleaning fees — often exceed those of hotels, while faceless serial hosts are more likely to leave a lockbox code and a list of chores than sightseeing tips.

Yes. Chores and a cleaning fee.

Can Airbnb get back to the good ol’ days?

On Monday, Airbnb announced changes in response to inflation, a possible recession, and “growing guest frustration with prices, cleaning fees, and checkout instructions.”

• Starting next month, guests can choose to see listings’ total prices upfront — including fees but excluding taxes — when they search.
• Airbnb’s algorithms will also prioritize total price.
• In 2023, hosts will get new pricing tools — though Airbnb didn’t say what they are.
• In the coming months, guests will be able to see checkout instructions prior to booking and leave feedback on them.

According to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, reasonable checkout tasks include tossing out food, shutting off lights, and locking up. Vacuuming and laundry? Not so much.

Will it help?

Displaying cleaning fees doesn’t necessarily lower them, though hosts may choose to do so to remain competitive.

But considering Airbnb reported $2.9B in revenue in Q3, its highest quarter ever and up 29% YoY, people haven’t been choosing hotels in droves — yet.

🦴 On this day: In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays by accident while testing whether cathode rays could pass through glass.

📚 Haha: This website tells you the time using quotes from books.

🌊 Wow: There’s a 2.2k-foot-long tunnel under Niagara Falls that people can now visit.

✨ How to: Get motivated and stay motivated.

🦐 Aww: And now, put the shrimp in the bowl.