This is all part of TikTok's major push to convert the platform into an eCommerce superpower, re-creating the same path to success that the app saw in China, with the local version of the app. On Douyin, the China-only version of TikTok, live shopping, in particular, has been a big winner, with the platform generating $US490 billion in gross merchandise sales in 2024. Douyin has expanded its in-stream sales to all elements of shopping, including groceries, meal delivery, and more.
"We always like to be at the cutting edge of everything, especially digitally focused. We'd already seen success on TikTok Shop, and knowing that live selling was the evolution of the platform, it was something we wanted to test into," said CMO Erica Dunivan.