{"id":1763,"date":"2023-03-20T15:36:10","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T15:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emplifistg.wpenginepowered.com\/resource\/how-to-get-started-with-livestream-shopping\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T20:37:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T20:37:37","slug":"how-to-get-started-with-livestream-shopping","status":"publish","type":"resource_posts","link":"https:\/\/emplifi.io\/resources\/blog\/how-to-get-started-with-livestream-shopping\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get started with livestream shopping for your brand"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":1764,"parent":3412,"menu_order":0,"template":"page-templates\/resource-blog.php","resource_topics_tax":[50,63],"resource_types_tax":[48],"resource_industries_tax":[],"resource_visibility_tax":[],"class_list":["post-1763","resource_posts","type-resource_posts","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource_topics_tax-digital-marketing","resource_topics_tax-social-commerce","resource_types_tax-blogs"],"acf":{"page_cta_group":{"show_section":true,"use_global_cta":true,"section_subhead":"","section_headline":"","section_text_left":"","section_text_right":"","section_button":""},"awards_group":{"show_section":true,"use_global_awards_text":true,"section_subhead":"","section_headline":"","section_text":"","use_global_awards":true,"awards":false},"resource_description":"Livestream shopping can connect shoppers across the customer journey, but it\u2019s more than just hitting \"Record.\" Learn how your brand can get started with live video shopping.","hero_headline":"How to get started with livestream shopping for your brand","content_builder":[{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","wysiwyg_background_color":"white","wysiwyg":"

It\u2019s time for your brand to go live, and commerce is ready to share the stage. For proof, look no further than China, which saw livestream shopping\u00a0explode from $3 billion to $171 billion<\/a>\u00a0in gross merchandise value from 2017-2020.<\/p>\n

One pandemic later, markets like the United Kingdom and the United States are primed for adoption as well as livestream shopping surges amongst\u00a0the top live commerce trends<\/a>. The U.S. livestreaming market is projected to reach $32 billion this year and expand to $68 billion by 2026,\u00a0according to a report by Coresight Research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pair that sales potential with\u00a0booming consumer interest<\/a>, and livestream shopping has officially shifted from nice-to-have to must-have for retail brands. According to a recent survey of U.K. and U.S. shoppers, 36% indicated purchasing\u00a0during a live video shopping event<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This interest will continue to grow\u00a0as major social companies like TIkTok<\/a>\u00a0continue to develop avenues for brands to sell products across their platforms, and eCommerce juggernauts like Walmart and Amazon proliferate the method\u00a0on their own stream and shop channels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For brands looking to adopt livestream shopping, fear not; the train has not left the station. In fact, the explosion of interest from channels, brands, and consumers means that the tracks have now been laid for new brands to enter this space easily.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore how your brand can successfully\u00a0start livestream shopping<\/a>, and if your team is ready to begin the conversation,\u00a0download our checklist for your program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Key takeaways<\/h2>\n

What do I need to know about livestream shopping?<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. There are\u00a0different types of live video commerce<\/a>, and livestream shopping can connect across the customer journey.<\/li>\n
  2. Livestream shopping is more than just hitting \u201cRecord.\u201d It starts with\u00a0determining what success looks like for your brand<\/a>\u00a0and how it impacts the customer experience.<\/li>\n
  3. Activation depends on scale, but any organization can get started quickly. There is\u00a0a simple roadmap for launching livestream shopping<\/a>\u00a0for your brand.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Understanding the difference between live video shopping methods<\/h2>\n

    Livestream shopping, or\u00a0one-to-many livestream shopping<\/a>, is a retail experience that allows customers to watch a live video stream and purchase products in real-time. It differs from\u00a0one-to-one live shopping<\/a>\u00a0in that the customer is part of a wider audience who interacts, engages, and transacts with the brand, host, or influencer as part of what is effectively a showcase, rather than having a personal conversation with a product expert.<\/p>\n

    Customers can ask questions, request additional information, and even make purchases directly through the video stream, which is supported by\u00a0a live video shopping platform<\/a>. This software connects the broadcast with each brand\u2019s website or social channels and the additional technology required to support real-time transactions, product carousels featuring available inventory, customer service requests, and engagement.<\/p>\n

    Both shopping models actually work well in tandem. Brands like Ribble Cycles, a leading British bicycle manufacturer, utilized both\u00a0livestream shopping events<\/a>\u00a0and one-on-one video shopping to\u00a0support customers at different stages<\/a>\u00a0of the buying journey. As a result, Ribble\u2019s customers spent 36% more on its products while utilizing live commerce solutions.<\/p>\n

    What makes livestream shopping unique \u2013\u00a0and why it could account for 20% of all eCommerce by 2026<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 is how it connects touch points across the customer journey. Any brand can \u201cgo live\u201d in minutes, but there is more to a successful live shopping strategy than simply hitting \u201cRecord.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Defining success for livestream shopping events<\/h2>\n

    Livestream shopping is the blending of live and social commerce. It has the power to connect brand and demand across any company\u2019s entire digital ecosystem. But it\u2019s important to think beyond transactions and\u00a0start with customer experience<\/a>\u00a0when shaping a live shopping strategy. What are your customers interested in watching or, even more specifically, what would be worth their time?<\/p>\n

    This shopping model creates an immersive and engaging experience for customers, as it tends to work best with a product demonstration, launch, or showcase. Brands like Currys use livestream shopping to reach wider audiences and help customers shop however they choose, keeping their customer experience personal and accessible.<\/p>\n

    Ultimately, the stream itself comes down to vibes. Do you want your stream to feel like\u00a0Steve Jobs introducing the iPhone in 2007<\/a>\u00a0or is\u00a0the Windows 95 launch<\/a>\u00a0more your company\u2019s style?<\/p>\n

    There are many things to consider when shaping a single event or an entire product series, but you have to remember that this is an event. What ultimately matters is authenticity and creating a moment worth your audience\u2019s attendance and attention.<\/p>\n

    According to a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Emplifi,\u00a086% of social commerce leaders expect<\/a>\u00a0to or have achieved a positive return on their social commerce investment within one year. Livestream shopping can be a cornerstone of that plan if you focus on relationships and not merely transactions.<\/p>\n

    Rates and definitions of success will vary for each brand, but it\u2019s important to establish KPIs that aren\u2019t limited to just sales. Here are some key steps toward helping you do that.<\/p>\n

    Assemble your team<\/h3>\n

    Cross-functional teams are a cornerstone of a successful livestream initiative. Since livestream shopping influences so many steps of the customer journey, you need to assemble partners from an intersection of disciplines before going live.<\/p>\n

    Many companies miss this step. A Forrester Consulting study found that\u00a0just 26% of social commerce decision-makers reported a close alignment<\/a>\u00a0between capabilities, tools, and goals like capturing the next generation of customers.<\/p>\n

    Certainly, it\u2019s possible to have\u00a0too many cooks<\/a>\u00a0in the virtual kitchen but, due to the reach, brand impact, technological requirements, and logistics, it\u2019s best to organize the right team to align goals, capabilities, and execution to bring livestream shopping to the small screen.<\/p>\n

    This varies from organization to organization, but the building blocks you should consider include:<\/p>\n