Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) will Livestream a shopping event of items featured on Tiktok on Friday for one hour. The users of Tiktok can still shop after the live-streaming event for the items featured on the mobile app. It is just the beginning for Tiktok to Livestream the shopping events in the US. CMO of Walmart, William White said it is an innovative way for the company to engage the visitors and gain new customers.
Huge investments in marketing platforms
Social media platforms and tech giants are pumping in funds in the marketing platforms to make shopping more users friendly. In 2019, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) introduced Amazon Live that allows demonstration of the products sold on its e-commerce site and also features the talk by hosts. R&D of Google introduced Shoploop whereas Facebook promoted shopping on Instagram and WhatsApp. Facebook recently redesigned its Instagram to focus on e-commerce.
Shoppable livestreams struggled to take off in the US though popular in Asia. However, Tiktok and Walmart are trying to capitalize on the opportunity with an early move.
Tiktok makes an early move in the e-commerce
In 2019, Tiktok started testing innovative social commerce features by permitting the users to add links to their videos and profiles. Levi’s, the retail giant, is one of the first retail brands to try the Shop Now feature of Tiktok.
Both Tiktok and Walmart can improve their e-commerce operations by this teaming agreement. Tiktok directs its young userbase to Walmart. According to available information, Walmart is in talks to clinch some stake in the operations of Tiktok and bring its shopping to the social media site.
CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillon said the viewers can immediately purchase an item if they like apparel worn by some in the video being watched. It is happening across the world and Walmart wants to become part of it.
Feeding America receives $12 million from Walmart
The distribution centers and Sam’s Clubs are allocating funds as well as products to satisfy the needs of organizations engaged in hunger relief. Around 1.6 million people are suffering from hunger because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis. To help the organizations satisfying the need for food during the holidays and after that, Walmart foundation donated $12 million.
