Social commerce is reshaping how consumers discover and purchase products — and the development is accelerating rapidly in Europe. As platforms like TikTok, Instagram and eBay expand their live-shopping and in-app checkout options, both brands and consumers are adapting to this new environment. In a television interview with the German broadcaster ZDF, Prof. Dr. Richard …
China has become the global innovation engine of social commerce. Platforms like WeChat, Douyin (TikTok China) and Taobao Live have already demonstrated how seamlessly social interaction, entertainment and in-app shopping can merge into one ecosystem. In Europe, by contrast, social commerce is still at an early stage—fragmented, highly regulated and culturally more cautious. The presentation …
Social commerce is evolving faster than any other digital sales channel, and Instagram has become one of the most influential platforms shaping this transformation. With built-in shopping features, product tags, Reels and even a fully integrated Amazon shop, Instagram already provides the technical foundation for seamless in-app purchases. Yet despite millions of daily impressions, user …
Social commerce is transforming the way we shop online. Platforms like TikTok are no longer just about entertainment — they are becoming dynamic marketplaces where brands meet consumers directly. For sustainable fashion label Armedangels, the TikTok Shop offers a timely opportunity to connect with Gen Z and young Millennials right where they spend most of …
TikTok is no longer just a platform for viral videos and creative trends – since the launch of TikTok Shop in Germany in March 2025, the app has rapidly evolved into a serious e-commerce channel. The first German Shop Report shows how quickly this form of social commerce is gaining traction: over 14,000 sellers are …
Social media has become a central hub for inspiration in fashion retail. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok introduce new brands, trigger spontaneous purchase impulses, and offer retailers enormous reach. Despite this potential, many purchases are never completed. Research shows that nearly half of social commerce shopping journeys in the fashion sector are abandoned before completion. …
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, …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
TikTok is no longer just a platform for viral videos – it’s rapidly becoming a serious marketplace. With TikTok Shop, the app offers a direct way to sell products inside the feed. A key factor for success? The right fulfillment model. In this post, you’ll learn how fulfillment works in TikTok Shop, which models are …
Shopping behavior is changing – fast. What used to happen on websites now happens directly on social media. Welcome to the world of Social Commerce. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, users now buy products with just one click – without ever leaving the app. This blog post explains what Social Commerce is, why it’s …
Instagram is evolving rapidly—from an inspiration platform to a fully integrated sales channel. This transformation is particularly impactful in the world of social commerce, especially when it comes to lifestyle-driven products like nutritional supplements. But how exactly does the platform’s shopping feature influence consumer behavior among younger audiences? Instagram as a Sales Channel: The Rise …
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 …
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 …
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 …
In today’s fast-paced world of online retail, social media has become an essential part of every successful marketing strategy. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are no longer just spaces for entertainment — they’ve evolved into powerful tools for branding and sales. Especially in retail and e-commerce, brands are finding new ways to connect with …
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 …
The digital world is rapidly changing our consumer behavior. From shopping via social media to personalized recommendations – the lines between e-commerce and social media are becoming increasingly blurred. But how does consumer protection function in this increasingly digital marketplace? This was one of the central topics of the conference “(Un)Influenced by the Net? Consumer …