Social commerce is no longer a buzzword; it’s a booming industry. According to market research, the global social commerce market is projected to grow from $570 billion in 2023 to over $1 trillion by 2029. This explosive rise signals a major shift in how brands sell and how consumers shop.
So, is it a social commerce revolution? But what is it? Let’s find out.
What Is Social Commerce?
Social commerce refers to buying and selling products directly through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. But it’s more than just clicking a “buy now” button; it involves the entire customer journey:
- Discovery through influencer content or social ads
- Research via reviews, comments, and unboxings
- Recommendations from peers or creators
- Direct purchases without leaving the app
The goal? A faster, seamless, and more engaging shopping experience.
- It is driving sales through recommendations from friends or influencers.
- It is helping brands grow and build strong relationships with customers.
- It is making it easier for small businesses to get started and reach more people.
- It is boosting word-of-mouth marketing.
- It is Inspiring customers to buy more, even if they are not planning to.
Social Commerce: A New Way to Shop
Social commerce is quickly becoming the go-to place for shopping. It is combining everything in one spot:
- Chatting with friends
- Seeing ads
- Getting product ideas
- Reading reviews
- Shopping
- Getting customer support
Now, you don’t really need to switch between websites or apps, only your favorite social media platforms is enough for that, no matter if it is TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram.
The Big brands, just like Walmart, are also jumping in with the creative views. Recently, Walmart teamed up with TikTok to host a live shopping event where people could watch, chat, and buy products, all during a live stream! The purpose was to enhance demographics, scalability, and a growing user base.
It is a win-win situation for both shoppers and sellers.
Here are the major benefits social commerce is offering:
- Huge growth in social media users:
No doubt, the number of social media users was predicted to increase, but just from 2010, the number of social media users has jumped from 970 million to 5.24 billion.
The trend is still growing:
The trend is still growing; social commerce sales are expected to reach $2.9 trillion by 2026. Seeing these staggering figures, it is no surprise that there is so much growth in social commerce.
All this growth is mostly because people are spending more time on their phones and using social media more than ever, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. And since it is so easy to shop while scrolling, social commerce keeps getting more popular every day.
The Changing Shopping Behaviours
Consumer behaviour has also changed, but what are the real factors? More and more people are shopping through social media these days. Let’s check the reasons:
Super Easy and Fast
See, how easy it is to breathe, right? That’s how super easy and fast shopping online is. You see a product, check what others say about it, and buy it, all without leaving your favorite app like Instagram or TikTok. Your casual scrolling turns into quick shopping with just a few taps.
Social Media Feels Like a Mall Now
Yes, it is true, don’t you feel like you are at a shopping mall when your feed is already full of ads? Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are not just for fun anymore. They’ve become like online shopping malls where you can browse, explore new products, and shop, all in one place.
Real Life Example Of Social Commerce: Glossier
Glossier is a beauty brand that gained a massive following along with social commerce. It became very popular by building a strong online community. They shared engaging content and had great conversations with the users.
Instead of using traditional ads, Glossier focused on real stories and real people. They asked customers to post photos and reviews using special hashtags. This made others trust the brand more and helped boost engagement.
By creating a friendly, community vibe and putting customers first, Glossier turned its social media pages into a place where people felt heard and connected. And as a result,
Glossier gained over 3.2 million Instagram followers and now earns a large amount of money each year.
Conclusion
Do you know what social commerce is changing? Why do you shop, where, and who do you trust when you shop? From beauty brands like Glossier to retail giants like Walmart, businesses are proving that social commerce can drive massive results.
Now, retail is never going to be the same.
