Agile Response to Pulse-Based Demand: Challenges and Strategies for Douyin E-commerce Supply Chain

The unique TikTok model is characterised by content-driven consumption, algorithmic traffic distribution, and extreme demand volatility. This generates 'pulse waves' of orders that conventional supply chains cannot handle. The result is high inventory mismatch rates (4060%) and systemic inefficiencies. Through multi-dimensional analysis, the study identifies key issues, such as failures in demand forecasting, inflexible production capacity, surges in logistics costs, and gaps in multi-stakeholder coordination. To address these issues, the study proposes a three-tier agile response system comprising short-term intelligent prediction models, mid-term regional production clusters for rapid prototyping and long-term platform-level middleware to integrate real-time data across stakeholders. Technological innovations such as digital twins, blockchain, and 3D printing can further enhance resilience. The findings emphasise TikTok's transformative role as a 'data hub' and 'rule-maker', offering theoretical contributions such as the 'data-algorithm-ecosystem' triangular drive model, as well as practical tools like pulse resilience assessments. This research provides merchants, platforms and policymakers with actionable insights to help them balance flexibility and cost, ultimately advancing supply chain agility in the era of unplanned, high-velocity e-commerce.