Japan marketplace app Mercari lays off almost half its U.S. workforce

Inflation-hit Americans cut back on hobby spending, turn to Temu

20240719N Mercari

Mercari's U.S. business has been in the red since July-September 2021. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japanese online marketplace Mercari has laid off nearly half of the employees from its U.S. subsidiary, Nikkei has learned, as it struggles with falling sales and competition from low-price Chinese e-commerce rivals like Temu.

The June layoffs have apparently reduced the workforce to a little over 100 people. The subsidiary had 226 employees at the end of June 2023, excluding temporary workers, a securities filing showed.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.