wish

Wish is a global online marketplace based in San Francisco, founded in 2010 by Piotr Szulczewski and Danny Zhang. The platform operates as a direct-to-consumer marketplace that connects buyers with a wide network of merchants, many of whom manufacture or source inexpensive goods in China and other regions. The service is designed to be mobile-first and price-driven, featuring a personalized feed and search experience that highlights low-cost items.

Products on Wish span categories such as clothing, electronics, home goods, jewelry, and accessories, with thousands of merchants listing items. Wish mediates payments and handles certain aspects of order processing and customer service, while fulfillment is frequently managed by third-party sellers. Shipping times are often longer than those of traditional e-commerce platforms, reflecting the cross-border nature of many orders.

The platform expanded to multiple international markets and grew rapidly during the 2010s, attracting investment and becoming a prominent example of a budget-focused online marketplace. Wish conducted an initial public offering on the Nasdaq in December 2020 under the ticker WISH. The company has faced scrutiny related to product quality, counterfeit concerns, and customer service, as well as regulatory questions concerning data privacy and advertising practices. In response, Wish has implemented policy updates and quality-control measures, though challenges for merchants and customers have persisted.