Ahead of the 2021 holiday season, YouTube is launching a livestream event to position the platform as a shopping destination. Social media shopping has not taken off in the US as it has done in China, but YouTube’s celebrity-driven shopping event may be a sign that this is changing.

TikTok may be known for its entertaining videos but it's entering the e-commerce space with its collaboration with Spotify. As people turn to social media for the latest finds, in-app shopping is becoming a hot commodity for followers inspired by their favourite influencers' purchases.

Live-streamed shopping has experienced huge success in China among young consumers, prompting brands around the world to pay attention. But why exactly is this mode of browsing and buying so appealing? And how can businesses use this medium for more than just marketing products?

Younger Chinese consumers are no longer turning to advertisements to help them shop – they’re listening to each other instead. Shanghai-based app Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) is harnessing social commerce and changing the way luxury consumers learn about products online.