TikTok Launches In-App Shopping In The US, Canada And The UK

Just in time for the social commerce boom, TikTok is launching a pilot test that would enable Shopify merchants across the U.S, Canada and the U.K. to create mini-storefronts on their TikTok profiles.

Merchants will be able to add a “Shopping” tab and sync their product catalogs to their TikTok for Business accounts. The pilot test marks the expansion of TikTok’s partnership with Shopify, which was first announced in October 2020. The partnership allows Shopify merchants to advertise and directly work with influencers using tools that enable them to create, run and optimize their TikTok marketing campaigns directly from the Shopify dashboard.

“Creators are paving the way for a new kind of entrepreneurship where content, community, and commerce are key. By enabling new in-app shopping experiences and product discovery on TikTok for the first time, Shopify is powering the creator economy on one of the fastest-growing social and entertainment platforms in the world. We are excited to help this next generation of entrepreneurs connect with their audiences in more ways-and with TikTok as a visionary partner,” said Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify.

Brands such as Kylie Cosmetics are among some of the early adopters that are using the offering to enable their TikTok followers to shop directly through the app. Over the coming weeks, TikTok plans to expand the pilot to include other Shopify merchants. In addition to creating a TikTok storefront, merchants will also be able to tag products in their TikTok videos, which will help direct traffic back to the merchant’s storefront and ultimately improve conversion.

“Our community has transformed shopping into an experience that’s rooted in discovery, connection, and entertainment, creating unparalleled opportunities for brands to capture consumers’ attention. TikTok is uniquely placed at the center of content and commerce, and these new solutions make it even easier for businesses of all sizes to create engaging content that drives consumers directly to the digital point of purchase. We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Shopify and making TikTok more accessible than ever for their merchants,” said Blake Chandlee, president, global business solutions at TikTok.

Originally published at https://retailbum.com on August 25, 2021.