Online technology and apps have had an impact on many areas in recent years, but one industry that has really been affected by such innovations is the retail sector.
The shopping experience has been transformed for many people, with the idea of buying online and getting items delivered becoming second nature to them. However, it appears that web-based retail is evolving yet again, as the idea of ‘live shopping’ is attracting plenty of attention.
We’re giving our customers on TikTok more of what they want with another live shopping event. On Thursday, March 11, at 9 p.m. EST, we’ll host the Spring Shop-Along: Beauty Edition on the Walmart TikTok channel. https://t.co/TGTdYd1aDX pic.twitter.com/eNbjMjzJFl
— Walmart Inc. (@WalmartInc) March 9, 2021
Going live
The concept has been put in the spotlight this month by a recent event involving Walmart. The retail giant recently explained how it had partnered with TikTok to offer a live-streamed shopping event called Spring Shop-Along: Beauty Edition.
Walmart outlined how the event featured an hour-long interactive beauty tutorial, while viewers also had the chance to tap on a product pin and add items to their shopping carts. They could then check out and buy the goods either during the event or after it had ended. The company added that it had plans to offer more shopping experiences on TikTok in the near future.
Another notable brand that is exploring the potential of live shopping is Ted Baker. As sites including Fashion United have reported, the brand has teamed up with Bambuser to launch the services in the UK.
A fresh angle
Live shopping is clearly an intriguing concept that is capturing many people’s imaginations at the moment. However, it is also arguably just the latest innovation that highlights how technology has brought a new angle to the live experience in recent years.
For example, we are now able to stream a whole host of events live online, from film premieres to musical performances. Services like MelodyVR have also emerged to offer an innovative take on the live music experience. As the Google Play listing for the app explains, the service offers a new angle on performances thanks to 360-degree video.
https://twitter.com/melodyvirtual/status/1343587519431127046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The sports world has embraced many fresh innovations related to the live experience as well. For example, online technology has allowed sports betting providers to offer live odds on many events, with HowToBet.com for instance featuring a host of data. The site suggests that the information is part of its efforts to help bettors in the real world, while it adds that looking at such details could help people spot opportunities. In addition, UK broadcaster BT Sport recently revealed how it has introduced some new live innovations to its app, including 360-degree views and a Manager Mode. The latter gives fans the chance to access real-time graphics and statistics as they watch the latest soccer action.
Technology and trends
It is interesting to take a step back and consider how technology has transformed so many live experiences.
Live shopping is a fascinating new trend and all eyes will be on whether it ultimately becomes a key approach for retail in the future. It will also be fascinating to see what might come next as technology continues to transform how we enjoy many different forms of live content.
