AI
Can AI Accelerate ‘T-Commerce’?
Now that AI has inflected in underlying capabilities and applicability, could this accelerate the promise of shoppable television? We examine the latest market evidence and outcomes from IAB NewFronts.
Pro Features
Roku & Doordash Bring CTV Advertising to Local Restaurants
As part of its ongoing ad monetization play, Roku is leaning into CTV ads. The company has partnered with DoorDash to combine CTV advertising and local restaurant promotions – to our knowledge the first company to do so.
eCommerce
Shoppability and Privacy Collided in 2022
Shoppability and privacy are two of the many media and tech macro trends that stood out in 2022. These phenomena are not only driving ample activity in media and commerce, but they’re colliding and feeding into each other.
Amazon
Amazon Gets Inspiration From TikTok
Amazon’s new Inspire feature is meant to drive eCommerce product discovery and purchases using TikTok-style videos. It takes shape in a short-form video and photo feed that’s meant to allow shoppers to find new products and ideas.
eCommerce
Is Instagram the King of Social Commerce?
Data has come to light that validates Instagram’s strengths as a shopping channel. Specifically, Meta reports that more than 1 billion Instagram users actively engage with businesses. We examine strategic implications.
Augmented reality
Snap Partners with Amazon to Elevate AR Try-ons
Snap has partnered with Amazon to bring more shoppable products into Snapchat.Products can be discovered, virtually tried on, and purchased. This end-to-end flow under one roof is meant to streamline shopping, with an emphasis on AR.
eCommerce
Google Updates Shopping for Holiday Belt Tightening
In advance of the holiday season, Google has launched its latest round of updates in Google Shopping. These include a series of features that more explicitly surface deals and promotions, and otherwise cater to price-sensitive shoppers.
eCommerce
Is TikTok Hatching a Logistics Power Play?
TikTok may be following the Amazon playbook. Clues have emerged to signal its intentions to build out a shipping and logistics network. This would elevate its social commerce efforts and signal more about its business model plans.
Pro Features
TikTok Rethinks Live Shopping
Live shopping is having a moment. As the staid but lucrative format trudges on in the halls of QVC, it’s finding new life among social apps. TikTok is the latest to jump on board and we break down strategic implications.
Augmented reality
Walmart Enters the Immersive Shopping Age
Walmart has become the latest retailer to join the immersive shopping age. A corollary to the “shoppability” movement that we often cover, this is all about giving shoppers more immersive options to visualize products.
eCommerce
TikTok Ups its Ad Game
After launching shoppable formats and a new AR creation platform (Effect House), TikTok’s latest move to formalize its ad revenue ambitions Known as Shopping Ads, they’re meant for brands to more easily advertise and sell stuff on TikTok.
Pro Features
TikTok Jumps Into Local Events
TikTok’s local commerce ambitions continue to grow by the day. Its latest move: local events. A partnership with Ticketmaster expands TikTok’s repertoire into local event discovery. We examine drivers & dynamics.
eCommerce
Pinterest Amps Up Merchant Selling Tools
Pinterest is out this week with new features to engender commerce within its app. This round of updates is mostly about merchant-facing features including product tagging on Pins and a new API for shopping.
eCommerce
TikTok’s Shoppability Efforts Bring Mixed News
As TikTok continues to feel out its product models and gain its footing among rapid growth, it’s all about experimentation. And its Shoppability efforts are no exception. We examine the latest wins and losses.
eCommerce
Shoppability Invades the Living Room
The latest shoppability play comes from Roku, bringing us the long-discussed concept of shopping directly on your television (T-commerce). We examine its latest collaboration with Walmart to make it all happen.
eCommerce
Shopify Editions Thinks Outside the (Website) Box
Shopify today announced a slate of new offerings for merchants who want to extend beyond websites. This includes some of the alternate and emerging shopping channels (social, video, etc.) as well as a selection of early-adopter formats like NFTs.
eCommerce
Twitter Launches “Product Drops” for Online Merchants
Though Twitter continues to be embroiled in drama around its future ownership, it still seems to be focused on product development. Its latest feature allows merchants to tease upcoming releases. We examine drivers & dynamics.
eCommerce
Instagram Extends Product Tagging for Peak Shoppability
Instagram has expanded its pilot product tagging feature to everyone in the U.S. This lets Instagram users, influencers, and creators tag products in their posts to share credit in any resulting commerce.
creator economy
TikTok Integrates Instacart to Satisfy Your Hunger
TikTok is out with more shoppable content. Its new integration lets foodie creators link their videos to c so that inspired users can order ingredients on the spot. We examine.
eCommerce
Twitter Gets More Shoppable with Mobile Storefronts
Twitter has become the latest tech player to jump on the shoppability trend with the launch of Twitter Shops. We dive into the dynamics, drivers, and strategic implications.