The very nature of the modern ecommerce market means brands have to constantly evolve to meet the expectations of savvy consumers who want shopping to feel like an experience – not just a transaction.
Now there’s a seismic shift on the horizon that could shake things up more than ever. Live streaming ecommerce, estimated to already be worth more than $60 billion annually, is fast becoming mainstream – and even the most agile commerce brands need to get ready.
What’s livestreaming ecommerce?
Think QVC – but in 2021 (in other words, with influencers). Livestreaming ecommerce combines streaming video, social media and celebrity into a cutting edge shopping experience that’s already taken China – a nation known for being ahead of the game on ecommerce trends – by storm.
According to a recent study by Brightpearl, which powers the operations of some of the biggest online brands, 1 in 5 UK shoppers have watched or participated in a Livestream shopping event in the past 12 months and 86% would like to see more retailers offering livestream shopping.
It’s also growing quickly in America, with livestreaming platforms such as TalkShopLive and Brandlive reporting skyrocketing sales. The biggest ecommerce players of all – Amazon and Facebook – have also invested heavily to roll out live selling features.
It’s a trend that’s here to stay – and set to shape the future of selling online.
How can ecommerce brands adapt?
At Brightpearl, our leading retail operations platform helps scaling multi-channel businesses plug in to the very latest ecommerce tools to adapt and evolve as markets do, and stay one step ahead of customer expectations.
We asked top industry experts for their take on live streaming ecommerce: why is it so hot right now? How will it shape the future of ecommerce? And how can ecommerce brands get on board?
Cate Trotter, Head of Trends at Insider Trends
“There’s no doubt that livestream commerce is gaining traction – whether it’s broadcasting to a wide audience or connecting a single customer to a sales assistant for personal support,” Cate said.
“A lot of companies started trialling livestream commerce as a result of the pandemic, but the results are so good that they’re not going to go back.
“For instance, Swedish live video shopping platform Bambuser reports average session times of 13 minutes, which is three times longer than the typical e-commerce website session. What’s more, Bambuser customer Kjell & Company revealed that one live show generated as many sales as a store achieves in two weeks.
“Increasingly, we’re seeing brands putting livestream capabilities into their stores – as with Beautycounter in the US. Not only does this add a sense of theatre to the physical retail experience, it’s also a way to make better use of staff in quiet periods.
“At Insider Trends, we see livestream commerce as sparking a wider shift in what retailers look for when recruiting store staff. Presentation skills and the ability to engage comfortably in front of the camera are going to be highly sought after in the future.”
Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, Founder at Retail Minded
“Shopping has always been an engaging, entertainment opportunity for many consumers and brands alike,” said Nicole.
“From social selling platforms, such as CommentSold, to social media influencers using their platforms to promote and sell products via video, the rise of video selling is understandably hot right now.
“It’s both convenient to consumers and brands, as well as accessible 24/7. When you also factor in that the average social media user scrolls through nearly 300 feet of social media pages a day, livestream commerce becomes even more exciting.
“It offers users a reason to hit pause in their social media streams and enjoy an interactive experience with some of their favorite influencers and brands.”
Andrew Busby, Founder & CEO at Retail Reflections
“The pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives, perhaps irreversibly, and one thing which is proving to be both popular and beneficial for retailers and customers alike is gaining traction: livestream commerce,” Andrew said.
“Take one store, a smartphone and some on-camera enthusiasm and instantly that store is brought to life for an online audience. Add in the facility to interact and take payments and the store becomes the stage upon which you can act out your favourite scenes.
“This explains why livestream commerce is becoming more and more popular, both in the UK and in the US. Companies such as Oktium offer the ability to connect stores with experts so that the customer gains access to the product from the comfort of their own home.
“The significance of all this should not be underestimated. According to research conducted by the ONS/Mintel, 35% of us will remain cautious about entering premises even after all restrictions have been lifted.
“And in the new post pandemic world, bringing the store and the product to where the customer happens to be, on their terms, is going to become critical in winning new customers – and retaining existing ones”.
Ready, steady, livestream
With so much of the future of retail unclear, one thing is certain: livestreaming isn’t just a fad. Forward-thinking brands must take action now to prepare the back and front ends of the business for the latest and most promising leap. Brightpearl’s flexible, scalable platform is an essential tool for smart brands who want to do exactly that.
Want to find out more about how Brightpearl can help you adapt and evolve with market trends? Book a demo today.
