TalkShopLive is a live shopping platform established in Los Angeles and, as suggested by the FT, is used by enterprises like Walmart and Microsoft’s MSN to carry live shopping streams.
Through the collaboration, TikTok could leverage TalkShopLive’s technology to authorize creators to host live shopping sessions on TikTok while allowing labels to broadcast the stream to their websites simultaneously.
A few months ago, information indicated that TikTok was offering up on live shopping in Europe and the US.
Back in July, a report from FT suggested that TikTok was scaling back live shopping in the US and Europe after noticing lackluster outcomes from its trial in the UK. While the company’s deal with TalkShopLive reportedly hasn’t been in stone, it could indicate that TikTok isn’t winding down its live shopping pursuits yet — at least not here in North America.
If TikTok continues with the partnership, the FT says live shopping could arrive “over the next month with large brands,” just in time for the holiday season. TikTok has been exploring shopping features since last year and recently launched a dedicated Shop tab in the app for users in Indonesia.
TikTok might not be delivering on live shopping in the US. But, according to a statement from the Financial Times, the company’s peeking to partner with TalkShopLive to launch live shopping features in North America.
Live shopping has yet to occur in markets outside Asia, where Douyin, TikTok’s Chinese sister app, has seen success with QVC-style live streams. However, it still hasn’t stopped companies like TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Amazon from experimenting with the feature outside the region. Even Facebook has pushed out live shopping, but the company revealed in August that it’s shutting down the part to focus on Reels.
In a statement to the FT, TikTok stated it’s “constantly exploring new and different options for how we can best aid our community, creators and merchants in markets around the world,” which could include “associations which further support a seamless eCommerce venture for merchants.”