Digital domain on a very basic level reshaped the retail landscape. Whereas online shopping offers undeniable comfort, it can frequently lack the individual touch and excitement of in-person experiences. 

Live shopping may be an energetic unused trend that pushes new life into virtual interactions between brands and customers.

It’s more than just item demonstrations; it’s a captivating mix of enthusiasm, real-time engagement, and social association, revolutionizing how brands interface with customers. 

Let’s find out more about live shopping insights.

Attraction of Live Shopping

Live shopping brings a new approach to online shopping by combining excitement, learning about items, and finding new things all in one place. According to the CEO of a live shopping platform Bambuser, this type of commerce experience can drive conversion rates as high as 20 to 40%. 

Imagine observing live demos, asking questions immediately and chatting with other customers while making purchases of items you’re thrilled about. It makes a sense of belonging and fun, making shopping online more pleasant and interactive than ever. 

Additionally, live broadcasts rank among the third most engaging social media content categories, following the result from 37% of users. The only media types that were considered more compelling were photos and short-form video, at 66% and 61%, respectively.

According to recent data, customers shopping from live are 40% less likely to return products than other online ways of purchasing. Live shopping goes above the limitations of conventional commerce by providing a few key points of interest:

1. Real-time Engagement

Think about the excitement of seeing a live makeup tutorial with a celebrity artist you love or the joy coming from discovering limited-time flash deals–these types of experience will only go through live shopping. 

Live shopping raises a sense of urgency and quickness, drawing viewers in and changing browsing into an interactive experience.

Unlike static product postings, live streams make a sense of being within the moment, luring viewers to actively take part and engage with the content.

This can be especially powerful to promote seasonal products or limited-edition collections, where viewers do not want to miss the opportunity to buy.

2. Authenticity and Trust

Forget organized product photographs and generic descriptions. Live shopping allows brands to display products in real time, bringing in belief and transparency.

Viewers get a real feel for the product’s texture, size, and features, while brands can address either questions or concerns directly.

This authenticity is especially important for categories like clothing, skincare, or domestic products, where item perception can be essentially affected by real-life demonstrations.

3. Interactive Experience

It’s a two-way road where viewers can pose questions in real time, share feedback, and even take part in giving their opinion about a product to other viewers. This engagement develops a sense of community and belonging around the brand. 

Advanced Live Shopping Strategies

Data Source: Gitnux

Advanced live shopping techniques include going above traditional methods to improve the shopping experience. The pay-per-view live-streaming market has experienced significant development within the past few years, from $1.51 billion USD in 2023 to $1.83 billion USD in 2024. By 2028, it is expected to reach $3.95 billion USD. 

Brands are testing innovative approaches such as experiential storytelling, where they share captivating narratives about their items to form deeper relationships with customers. 

Multichannel integration plays a key part, consistently blending live streams with other promoting channels to maximize reach and engagement. 

Collaborating with influencers enhances credibility and grows the audience by using their expertise and followership to drive sales. 

Beyond these points, here are some additional advanced strategies to consider:

• Interactive Engagement: Use polls, quizzes, Q&A, and game-playing to keep viewers engaged. 
• Data Analytics: Track results to refine your approach, identify top products, and tailor content. 
• AR Integration: Allow virtual try-on of clothes, furniture placement, or makeup visualization.

These techniques aim to make great experiences that resonate with viewers, driving engagement and eventually increasing sales.

Key to Success in Southeast Asia’s Live Commerce Boom

A survey conducted in 2021 among consumers in Southeast Asia revealed that 61% of respondents in Vietnam had previously made a purchase through live streaming. By contrast, as of 2021, 18% of Singaporean respondents reported having made a purchase through live streaming. 

Data Source: Statista

Therefore, selecting the appropriate platform is essential, considering factors such as audience, demographics and live stream capabilities. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or dedicated live shopping platforms, each offers unique strengths to adjust to your brand’s goals. 

Besides, content creation is vital, creating engaging live sessions with storytelling components, item demonstrations, influencer collaborations, and exclusive offers can fascinate audiences. 

Technical preparation is significant for a great experience, ensuring high-quality audio, video, and internet connection. 

Finally, promotion over different channels builds expectation, utilizing social media, e-mail marketing, website announcements, and influencer collaborations to maximize reach and incentivize participation. 

The live commerce market in Southeast Asia is expected to grow by more than 49% a year. By taking these steps, brands can set out on their live shopping journey, turn over realness, interactivity and eventually drive sales.

TikTok Shop Live Shopping trends

In Southeast Asia, TikTok Shop’s total value of goods sold in 2022 increased by more than four times, to $4.4 billion USD. 

The fast-paced and dynamic nature of TikTok perfectly suits live shopping, allowing brands to connect with a younger audience in a fun and authentic way. 

TikTok, a haven for Gen Z and millennials, is leading the live shopping revolution with innovative features that cater to its unique audience.

TikTok Live Shopping revolutionizes the online retail world with its frictionless integration of products into live streams, fulfilling the desire of younger demographics for seamless shopping. See our last post on maximizing engagement on TikTok Shop live shopping here.

Data Source: TikTok

Viewers can easily browse and purchase within the app, without the need to switch platforms. By simply clicking on the yellow cart that is available during live streams, viewers get access to detailed information about products and purchase options instantly. 

This immediacy cultivates great buying behavior, enhancing the shopping experience and increasing conversion rates. In addition, TikTok Live Shopping transforms shopping into an interactive playground, offering live interaction, product reviews, and special deals for viewers. 

Brands leverage these options to boost audience participation, encourage social interaction, and raise a sense of community around their products. For instance, live clothing try-on sessions enable viewers to vote on their favorite outfits and increase excitement with interactivity. 

With access to TikTok’s analytics, brands gain valuable insights into viewer behavior and campaign performance, enabling data-driven decisions to optimize future live shopping strategies for maximum engagement and sales.