Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline of WeMakePrice, a prominent South Korean e-commerce platform, highlighting its bankruptcy as a significant event in the e-commerce industry, reflecting broader challenges faced by online retail businesses in a tough economic environment [4][9][16]. Group 1: WeMakePrice's Journey - WeMakePrice was established during the early days of South Korean e-commerce, quickly rising to prominence alongside platforms like Coupang and Tmon through social commerce and group buying models [8]. - At its peak in 2019, WeMakePrice achieved annual sales of over 465.3 billion KRW (approximately 400 million USD), becoming a star in the South Korean e-commerce market [8]. - The company faced increasing competition and market changes, particularly from Coupang, which leveraged logistics and capital to become a dominant player [8][9]. - WeMakePrice's revenue plummeted to less than 200 billion KRW (approximately 170 million USD) in 2022, leading to its acquisition by Singapore's Qoo10 in 2023, but financial issues persisted [9][11]. - Ultimately, WeMakePrice was declared bankrupt in September 2025, marking the end of an era for the group buying model in e-commerce [9][16]. Group 2: Wish's Decline - Wish, once valued at 14 billion USD at its IPO in December 2020, saw its market value plummet to just 1.74 million USD by 2024, reflecting a dramatic decline in its business [11][12]. - The platform's revenue fell from approximately 2.1 billion USD in 2021 to about 570 million USD in 2022, and further down to around 56 million USD in Q3 2023, indicating severe financial distress [11][12]. - Wish faced significant challenges, including a crisis of trust with merchants due to delayed payments and penalties, leading to a mass exodus of sellers from the platform [12][13]. - The company's attempts to improve user experience and merchant relations were insufficient to reverse its decline, culminating in its sale to Qoo10 for a mere fraction of its peak valuation [12][16]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The failures of WeMakePrice and Wish illustrate a shift in the e-commerce landscape towards "stock competition," where traditional growth strategies based on traffic and capital are no longer viable [16]. - The article emphasizes that companies must adapt to survive, focusing on sustainable cash flow, user value, and operational efficiency to thrive in a challenging economic climate [16]. - The downfall of these giants signals not just an end but a new beginning for the industry, as more efficient and user-centric players are likely to emerge [16].