I wanna start by saying I’m not anti-AI.
Far from it, actually. 😤
I think AI is amazing, and nothing will come between my ChatGPT subscription and me.
So, if you’re an AI superfan…
RELAX 🫷🥺🫸 and stay out of my DMs.
I’m not beefing with you, not today, at least. (I might change my mind tomorrow! 😛)
Also: How to sign up for the ‘next TikTok’ – and why you should do it right away
Now that I’ve got my disclaimer out the way, I NEED to tell you about the future of online shopping.
If you’ve ever thought about starting an online business or are already selling stuff online and looking for the edge, I’ve got you.
In this article, we’ll explore:🧐
- What I believe the future of online shopping looks like
- How we got to this point in the digital retail landscape
- Tips and tricks you can use to stay ahead
So kick back and put the pitchfork down as we dive into what I believe could be a game-changer for online shopping in 2025.
Oh, and if you stick around until the end, I’ll also share how we could make some mula. 🤑
Quick Intro
If you’re new to my work, my name’s Readingis what my friends call me, but I prefer Les.
As a founder who has had a successful exit, I am currently the executive chair of a group e-commerce brands. I am a performance marketer and spotting trends comes naturally to me.
I’ve worked in the ecommerce space for more than 10 years. I’ve had some impressive wins and even bigger losses (lol).
Over the years, I’ve kept a pulse on what’s happening in the industry.
I can tell you that this trend is completely different.
Online shopping will be the biggest opportunity in 2025.
You may be wondering what this big opportunity is.
Live commerce is a combination of livestreaming with e-commerce.
Creators demonstrate their products live and explain the features and benefits to an audience. If the audience likes it, they can add it to their shopping cart and buy it.
Live commerce is expected to reach $55 billion in 2026. Even more impressive, 46 percent of US shoppers have made a purchase during a live shopping event.
Funny Story.
There I was, explaining live commerce to Aly (my editor), and she looked at me and said, “So, it’s like QVC?”
After I laughed, I said “Yeah, basically, but online.”
Two things struck me.
One, geez, I’m getting old.
Second, despite all the technological advances like self-driving vehicles and AI, humans still need to feel connected. AI will never replace that.
And: AI isn’t the next big idea – here’s
Replicate, sure. Replace, nah.
The founders and entrepreneurs that create meaningful connections with their audiences will be the future.
I’m not saying AI-based avatars will fail.
I’m saying that entrepreneurs and founders who are willing to put themselves out there, will probably be more successful.
Here’s the irony. The psychology behind live commerce
Understanding the reasons why live commerce works will help you to future-proof your business.
Live Commerce is the foundation of what makes us humans. It’s more than just the product.
Let’s start with fear of missing out. This is a powerful marketing tactic. It’s hard to not think “I need one too.” or
when you see other people getting excited and buying things. It’s similar to seeing one of those TikTok challenge videos and thinking “I have to try this.”
“It can’t be that good.”
and
“It can’t be that hard.”
The same thing happens with live commerce.
When it’s happening live, that feeling is amplified because the promotion ends when the livestream does.
At that moment, the audience is forced to make a purchase. Who are the players in this game? As you might expect, TikTok leads the way in live commerce.
TikTok is a great app. Privacy concerns aside.
This format has been a huge success for creators, who have made millions.
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Making money is not the only thing that matters. TikTok allows users to gift virtual items to creators as a way to show their appreciation. This adds another layer of engagement.
The platform I’m watching and totally in love with is called Whatnot
Whatnot is the fastest growing platform for live shopping as I write this. It specializes exclusively in collectibles and fashion.
I love that the platform connects passionate collectors to the products they love. It feels like a community.
Despite the platform being “new,” creators are already experiencing success.
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Caitieco ( ) recently shared that she Whatnotis a platform that allows sellers to earn over $170,000 per year. This shows that sellers who are dedicated can achieve significant financial success on the platform.
I love Whatnot because it shows that this style of commerce isn’t exclusive to TikTok.
New platforms are launching, and established platforms are adopting the commerce style, with varying degrees of success.
Three tips to get you started with live commerce.
You’re probably wondering where to start.
To make this work, you must be good at public speech and communication basics. You don’t have to be perfect. Stuttering is even endearing. But you do need to know what you’re talking about before you go live.
And: One of the best microphones for podcasting I’ve tried is not made by Yeti
This time, “live” does not mean being unprepared. Feel me? Here’s a crash course in how to do live commerce and thrive.
1. Promoting your livestream in advance.What is it:
Promoting your Livestream in advance to build excitement and ensure strong turnout. Your livestream should feel like an event. Offer an exclusive deal or promotional code that can only redeem during the livestream. You must give your audience a good reason to attend.
Treat it as a prelaunch using email, social media and SMS. Tell everyone you know about it and encourage them share it. Share sneak peeks and teasers to create buzz about what you will be showcasing during the live.
Setup a reminder system via SMS or email. Send countdown messages such as “We’re live in 24 hours!” and “Don’t miss our live in 1 hour!” to create urgency.
2. Leverage live Q&A.
What is it?: A real-time discussion with your audience in which you answer questions and build rapport. It’s similar to asking a salesperson a question about a service or product in a shop.
Encourage the audience to ask questions and then answer them honestly and in detail. This is your opportunity to address objections and clarify any confusion in your prospects’ mind.
For a tip: Prepare your answers to common questions in advance to keep the session engaging. If you don’t have the answer, you can say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you.”
3 Have a clear CTA (19659083) What it is: A clear call-to-action (CTA), tells your audience what you want them do, whether that’s to buy a product, sign up for a newsletter, or stay connected. Don’t be afraid to use a CTA. Be confident and clear about your product or service.
How you can do it:During your livestream, be direct and specific. Use phrases like “Click the link to add this to your cart now” and “Tap the button to claim this exclusive offer.” to make it obvious for people to take action.
For a tip: Use exclusivity and urgency in your CTA. For example, “This deal is only available for the next 10 minutes,” and “We have limited stock, so grab yours before it’s gone.” Most important, make it special. Give your loyal supporters a good reason to attend your event live and explain why they require your offer.
Two cents
As with most things in life you get what you put into it.
Live Commerce is a fantastic way to grow any business. But that doesn’t make it a magic formula.
Things such as having a product that people want and understanding your audience will play a key role. Live commerce is a tool, not a belt.
I find it interesting to see that big brands are losing contact with their audiences. They’re chasing AI while drifting away from genuine connections. Consumers are asking, “AI is great, but we don’t want it to replace authentic interactions with a brand.”
Is your live streaming service worth it? I reassessed our options
Engaging your audience consistently is key.
What do you know? In a few more years, “Live commerce” may be rebranded under a new name. At its core, “thing” is about humans connecting with other humans.
This is the perfect moment to seize this shift and gain an advantage. Big brands are losing touch with their audiences and missing the mark.
Being yourself is an advantage. AI can’t replicate that.
Humans are still winning for the moment.
I hope this article is helpful; I’m rooting you on.
P.S. Want more data-driven marketing insights? Sign up for my Free newsletterNo Fluff Just Factuals I share what works in the world of digital advertising, the latest trends and the occasional pep-talk to keep you motivated. If this is your jam and you want to be besties for life, then let’s be friends. Click here to registerIt’s completely free.
