Social Commerce

TikTok enjoyed a meteoric rise during the pandemic and has evolved from a song-and-dance platform to a bona fide digital commerce powerhouse. TikTok is a crucial platform for digital commerce for many businesses due to its unparalleled ability to blend entertainment with commerce seamlessly. However, the app is once again in the hot seat in…

In episode 443 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Rob Robillard, chief merchandising officer of HSN, a leading interactive and lifestyle retailer that is part of Qurate Retail Group. Listen in as Robillard provides an overview of HSN's history in enabling video commerce and live shopping (1:00), the retailer's increased focus on streaming…

Shopping + social platforms = social commerce. It’s not a new concept in other parts of the world; as of 2022, over 70 percent of Asian consumers, specifically in Thailand, China, and Vietnam, had shopped on social media platforms. To put this into perspective, just 36 percent of U.S. internet users are social buyers, meaning…

Over the past few years, consumers have become hyperconnected online. What used to be individual tasks, like exchanging money or listening to music, are now opportunities for social networking among friends with apps like Venmo and Spotify. It was only a matter of time before shopping took to social platforms as well, and it has…

With all the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence in the retail industry, it’s no surprise that its embrace is one of the top trends as the industry begins 2024. The rapid growth of AI, machine learning and predictive technologies is opening up new worlds of opportunities. However, AI isn’t the only key trend in retail. Here…

A looming recession. Mass layoffs. The rise of generative artificial intelligence. There’s no doubt that 2023 presented the e-commerce industry with a myriad of obstacles. For many retailers, this provided an opportunity to experiment with new technologies and ways of selling. This year, we’ll see the outcomes of those experiments come to fruition as merchants…

Video shopping has emerged as an interactive digital experience allowing shoppers to connect with knowledgeable experts in real time. However, brands seeking to capitalize on its potential are realizing that seamlessly executing video shopping poses intricate challenges. In my experience leading retail experience strategy for brands across 10 countries, I've seen firsthand the stumbling blocks…

In one of the most anticipated and least surprising moves in recent years, TikTok has officially rolled out its commerce offering, TikTok Shop, to the U.S. market. For brands looking to amplify their efforts in the upcoming holiday season, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in TikTok, even if they’ve mostly stayed away until now.…

Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are making strides with online shopping as new features become available. For example, TikTok Shop provides consumers easy access to purchase products directly through the application. As we head into the holiday season, 48 percent of Gen Zers are already planning to use social channels for end-of-year shopping.…

The shopping experience has always been a social activity. From the agoras of ancient Greece to the 1980s mega malls, people have rarely shopped alone. However, in recent times, the surge in e-commerce has altered the landscape, making the process of purchasing concert tickets, fashion, and travel less social. It can be cumbersome to reach…