TikTok Shop Likely Gained Market Share in U.S. E-commerce
By Arriana McLymore and Sheila Dang
NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S. TikTok users spent heavily to buy merchandise from a range of vendors on the e-commerce platform TikTok Shop so far this holiday shopping season, according to TikTok estimates and a Reuters analysis of spending patterns measured by data from Facteus.
The patterns show that TikTok Shop, which launched in the U.S. in September 2023, has likely gained market share in e-commerce at a critical moment. TikTok Shop serves as an e-commerce channel for major brands such as e.l.f. Cosmetics, Ninja Kitchen, among other products.
"TikTok Shop is a new distribution channel and brands are doing really well on it," said Erik Huberman, CEO of marketing agency Hawke Media, which has clients that sell products through the feature. "Honestly, there isn't an alternative. It will be a lost revenue stream."
TikTok Shop said in a press release in late November that its sales had reached $100 million on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when bargain-hunting American consumers spent heavily online. Previously, it said the number of people purchasing goods on TikTok Shop each month had nearly tripled. Reuters could not independently verify its claims.
A U.S. federal appeals court on Friday upheld a law requiring Chinese-based ByteDance to divest TikTok in the U.S. by early next year or face a ban. A ban of the popular short video app, if it happens, could extend to TikTok Shop too.
Like its rivals Shein and Temu, TikTok Shop showcases merchandise from third-party vendors competing fiercely on price. Each platform has tried to lure more U.S. sellers with lower fees to help with shipping speeds.
"TikTok has 'cracked the code' on curating content and products that she likes," Whaley said.
Merchants on TikTok Shop fulfill shoppers' orders directly using third-parties or TikTok's e-commerce fulfillment services.
Nico Le Bourgeois stated that "the number of Live sessions hosted monthly has nearly tripled over the past year in the U.S."
According to third-party data firm Facteus, U.S. spending on TikTok Shop exceeded spending on Shein and Temu in the seven days leading up to Cyber Monday.