When a fridge shelf snaps or a microwave plate shatters, most people don’t bother hunting for the part. They throw out the appliance and buy a new one.
But lately in Spain, those pieces are being repaired—with help from Temu, the e-commerce platform known for low-cost goods. That’s where Pedro Juan Castillo, 51, and his family business Recamania have seen fast growth. Their bestsellers aren’t furniture or electronics, but microwave plates, dishwasher knobs, and oven burners.
“What we sell isn’t just a part—it’s choice,” Castillo explains. “Temu allows people to decide to repair, rather than be forced to replace. That’s empowering for them, and for us.”
From Local Shop to Online Store
The business began in 1980, when Castillo’s father, Juan, a washing-machine technician, noticed that many customers didn’t need entirely new appliances—just a working handle, knob, or gasket. He began stocking spare parts in his garage. Over time, Recamania became a small store filled with appliance components.
The store grew through word of mouth. But as more consumers bought low-cost appliances and newer models, the demand for repair declined. Recamania launched its own website in 2012 but struggled to attract sales.
“We didn’t have any sales since we didn’t know much about online business,” Castillo recalls.
Growth on Temu
In March, Castillo decided to try selling on Temu. He uploaded 108 products and began working with the platform’s seller support team.
“Within three days of uploading the products to Temu and following their team’s recommendations, 300 orders came in,” he says.
By July, Recamania was receiving more than 4,000 orders per month through Temu. The platform now accounts for 20% of the company’s total online revenue.
“I’ve never seen such rapid positioning,” says Castillo. “Temu gave us reach and guidance we didn’t have before. Their team is very proactive in terms of guiding you through the whole process of making customers satisfied and increasing the traffic towards your store and products.”
According to research from Ipsos, 77% of European consumers say Temu offers strong value, and more than half would recommend it to others.
Repair Culture
Recamania’s top-selling products include the TM31 control panel, a key part of the Thermomix kitchen appliance that many users still want to keep running.
Europe’s “right to repair” laws have made spare parts more available to consumers. At the same time, many households are trying to stretch budgets by fixing appliances rather than replacing them.
“It’s incredible,” Castillo says, standing in his warehouse in Albacete, surrounded by cardboard boxes. “People think it’s inconvenient to repair, but once they realize the part exists, they’d rather fix them.”
Recamania’s team includes 16 employees working in warehousing, purchasing, customer service, and marketing. The company ships hundreds of orders daily, often on the same day they come in.
Expansion Plans
Castillo expects Temu’s share of the business to continue growing. The company is preparing to expand its product listings to more countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, with Belgium and the Netherlands to follow.
“We’ve always believed in circular economy,” he says. “Temu gave us the reach to keep that philosophy alive—and share it with thousands more families across Europe.”
