Social Commerce is no longer just a trend – it has firmly established itself among the wider consumer base. According to the latest KPMG Consumer Barometer 01/2024, over 70% of respondents have already purchased a product via social commerce channels, while only 13% reject this form of shopping. In times of inflation and restrained spending, …
TikTok Shop Launches in Germany: Is Instagram Shopping Under Threat?
The German e-commerce landscape is experiencing a shake-up: TikTok has officially launched its TikTok Shop in Germany, France, and Italy — posing serious competition to established platforms like Instagram. But what does this mean for brands, creators, and consumers? And how is influencer marketing evolving in this new era of social commerce? TikTok Shop: The …
Social Commerce: The Future of Shopping Is Social, Seamless, and Instant
Online shopping is no longer a linear process. Today, consumers discover products in seconds—not via webshops, but through their social media feeds. A tap on a video, a swipe, and a spontaneous impulse buy. Welcome to the world of Social Commerce, where social media, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence merge into a seamless new shopping experience. …
Social Commerce Trends
How are digital commerce and customer experience evolving globally—and what can European retailers learn from Southeast Asia? The Retail & E-Commerce Innovation Summit Malaysia 2025, held on July 17 in Petaling Jaya, brought together brands like AEON, Domino’s, Bosch, Baskin-Robbins, ADA, and Philip Morris to explore these very questions. The event delivered powerful insights into …
Blume2000 Goes Social Commerce on TikTok
In today’s fast-paced digital world, the way we shop is constantly evolving. Social Commerce—buying products directly via social media platforms—is one of the most promising developments in e-commerce. Especially TikTok, known for its viral short videos, has become a powerful platform to reach younger audiences and drive conversions. A recent project by Dorkas Pfeifer at …
How to Use TikTok Shopping to Grow Your E-Commerce Business
TikTok is no longer just an entertainment platform – it has become a powerful sales channel. With TikTok Shopping, businesses can sell products directly within the app and reach millions of potential customers. In this guide, we show you how to strategically use TikTok Shopping to increase visibility and boost your sales. What is TikTok …
Prof. Geibel on Social Commerce in the DIM Podcast
E-commerce meets entertainment: In episode 9 of the DIMM podcast “Digital Transformation, Innovation & Marketing,” Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel, founder of the E-Commerce Institute in Cologne, joins Prof. Dr. Michael Bernecker to discuss the disruptive rise of commerce via social media. What was once merely a branding tool is now becoming a powerful sales …
Winning in Social Commerce: Strategy, Content and Technology as Success Drivers
Social commerce – the integration of e-commerce and social media – has moved far beyond trend status. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest have evolved into fully functional marketplaces, where users discover, engage with, and purchase products without ever leaving the app. This blog post summarizes key insights from Sebastian Arend’s research, conducted at the …
ZDF WISO: Professor Geibel Talks About Social Commerce
Social commerce is more than just a trend – it’s fundamentally changing the way we shop. With the launch of the TikTok Shop in Germany, this topic has gained even more urgency. The ZDF WISO program explored this development and invited me to share insights on the opportunities and risks of this new form of …
Cultural Differences in Social Commerce on Instagram
Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing platform to a significant player in social commerce. With over two billion monthly active users worldwide, it has become essential for businesses aiming to sell online. Features like shoppable posts, live shopping, and personalized product recommendations have solidified Instagram’s role in e-commerce. Despite Instagram’s global reach, user purchasing …
How Whatnot is revolutionizing social commerce
In a world where shopping is becoming increasingly digital, Whatnot is setting new standards. Founded in 2019 by Grant LaFontaine and Logan Head, Whatnot is more than just an interactive marketplace—it’s a platform that blends livestreams, auctions, and social media into a unique shopping experience. With over $60 million in funding secured by 2024 and …
Pinterest: How Inspiration Turns into Purchases
Pinterest is no longer just a platform for inspiration – it has become a major player in social commerce. Especially in the fashion industry, it seamlessly connects inspiration with purchasing. Features like visual search, shoppable pins, and personalized recommendations make Pinterest one of the most exciting digital commerce channels. Pinterest as a Social Commerce Platform …
Social Commerce: Revolutionizing the Future of E-Commerce
This blog post is based on the article “Social Commerce Revolutionizes Electronic Commerce” by Victoria Frings and Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel, published in the proceedings of the 3rd International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2023). The article explores how social commerce – the integration of social media and e-commerce – is revolutionizing online retail. With a …
Social Commerce: The Future of Online Shopping?
The e-commerce market has experienced impressive growth in recent years, but market saturation presents new challenges for businesses. At the same time, consumers are increasingly seeking interactive, personalized shopping experiences. Social commerce, the use of social media to sell products and services, offers a promising solution. In this article, we explore the roles of Instagram …
Potentials of Social Selling & Commerce
Whether it’s social selling or social commerce, combining social platforms with sales has been proven to boost revenues, as studies confirm. Leveraging social networks as sales and lead channels has become the gold standard in sales. Statista data highlights the growing importance of selling products directly or indirectly via social media platforms, unlocking significant revenue …
Rapid growth of social commerce
Rapid growth of social commerce: How influencers are changing young people’s buying behavior Introduction In recent years, the shopping behavior of consumers, especially the younger generation, has changed drastically. The integration of social media into e-commerce, known as social commerce, has opened up new opportunities for brands and retailers to reach and influence their target …
Social Proof – An important factor in Social Commerce
Social Proof Social proof is a decisive factor in social commerce that strengthens consumer trust and positively influences purchasing decisions. Various forms of social proof, such as customer reviews, influencer recommendations and social media activities, are particularly effective. Customer reviews Customer reviews are one of the most common and effective forms of social proof. According …
Social Shopping: How Social Media Shapes Consumer Behavior
60% share product information with friends or family through Dark Social, and 71% don’t want social media companies to know what they buy: Learn how social media impacts consumer behavior and what businesses can learn from it in our new study. Social media plays a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior, enabling users to discover …
Staff Reduction at eBay: The Interview with SWR
The trading platform eBay is cutting a thousand jobs – the explanation is that the workforce and expenses have grown faster than the business. And there have been many layoffs at other online retailers recently. What’s going on? According to Richard C. Geibel, Managing Director of the eCommerce Institute Cologne, this is clearly a consequence …
An interview with Richard Geibel: The Future of Social Commerce
In an exciting interview with E-commerce expert Richard C. Geibel, we shed light on current trends in online commerce. Richard Geibel explains how online retailers are responding to post-pandemic challenges and the opportunities that arise for traditional brands. A central trend is the merging of social media and e-commerce. Platforms like Amazon are embracing live …