Are You Ready to Buy Things From Your Favorite TikTok Stars?
TikTok is reportedly prepping for an e-commerce platform that will let users buy products via on-screen links during live broadcasts.
Dubbed TikTokShop, the function, according to Financial Times(Opens in a new window), will be powered by Los Angeles-based TalkShopLive(Opens in a new window), which invites viewers to "attend" online events and purchase products from brands, artists, and celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Walmart, BuzzFeed, and Debbie Gibson.
No contracts have been signed and the companies are still finalizing arrangements; the feature is expected to launch "over the next month with large brands," the FT reports.
"When it comes to market expansion for TikTokShop we are always guided by demand, and are constantly exploring new and different options for how we can best serve our community, creators, and merchants in markets around the world," a company spokesperson tells PCMag.
"These efforts include exploring partnerships which further support a seamless ecommerce experience for merchants, which is an important part of our ecosystem. Our focus remains on developing a valuable shopping experience and proposition in those countries where TikTokShop is currently offered across both South-East Asia and the UK," the company added.
The news comes after TikTok ran tests of its shopping product in Asia and the UK, the latter of which struggled to get off the ground, the FT reports. This prompted speculation that the company would drop plans for a European expansion, which TikTok denies.
"We have not paused, delayed, or withdrawn the planned rollout of TikTokShop into any other international markets," it said. "We are focused on making TikTokShop a success in the markets where it's currently available, including
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