TikTok trend may boost live-stream shopping.

TikTok trend may boost live-stream shopping.

The Rise of TikTok Live Stream Shopping: A Goldmine for Retailers

TikTok Live Stream

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok recently, you might have come across something strange and intriguing: people acting like video game characters during live streams on the popular social media app. These live streams have gained significant popularity, and their implications could extend to TikTok’s live stream shopping ambitions.

On these live streams, TikTokers take on the role of non-playable video game characters (NPC). They bounce in place and repeat limited phrases while viewers shower them with virtual gifts. Although this trend originated organically from TikTok creators, it holds potential for influencing live-stream shopping in the United States, as Bloomberg reported.

TikTok has already seen success in Southeast Asian markets with live streamers selling merchandise through the app’s TikTok Shop. However, replicating this success in the US has proven challenging for both TikTok and other tech giants. Instagram, for example, does not allow users to tag items in live streams, while live streaming on YouTube has struggled to attract a large user base.

For retailers, the emergence of TikTok live streams as a platform for shopping presents a promising opportunity. TikTok has already established itself as a place where products can go viral overnight or face the consequences of bad customer reviews. Capitalizing on this, TikTok is actively expanding its e-commerce strategy. The app incentivizes creators with cash bonuses and rewards for using its shopping feature. Earlier this year, TikTok tested shopping features in the UK before expanding to the US.

TikTokers who have embraced the NPC live-streaming trend are reaping significant rewards. According to Bloomberg, one TikToker claims to make around $700 per hour from virtual gifts sent to her, while another TikToker made an astounding $10,000 in virtual gifts during a 21-hour livestreaming session.

The potential behind TikTok’s live stream shopping feature has piqued the interest of retailers seeking new avenues for sales and brand exposure. TikTok’s ability to make products and brands go viral practically overnight has earned it a reputation as a powerful marketing tool. With the gamification element of live stream shopping, where customers can interact with virtual video game characters, retailers have the opportunity to tap into a highly engaged audience.

As TikTok continues its expansion into the live stream shopping market, it will likely draw more attention from retailers. The combination of viral potential, a large user base, and the financial incentives offered to creators make TikTok an appealing platform for brands to explore. With its innovative approach to e-commerce and its commitment to cultivating a vibrant creator ecosystem, TikTok is well-positioned to make a splash in the live stream shopping industry.

In conclusion, the rise of TikTok live stream shopping presents a golden opportunity for retailers. By leveraging the platform’s viral nature, engaging user base, and financial incentives for creators, brands can tap into a new and exciting way to reach and interact with potential customers. As TikTok continues to refine its live stream shopping features and expand its e-commerce strategy, it could revolutionize the way people shop and sell products online.