Social commerce stories
Most Australian buyers say security fears, late deliveries and poor tracking are undermining social commerce, despite rising use of the channels.
Social platforms now account for 11% of online sales in Australia, with smaller firms driving a rapid shift to direct digital storefronts.
Pressure is mounting on agencies to prove social video spend drives sales as TubeScience enters the UK and Europe with a new leader.
Shopify merchants will get more control over reviews, regional content and fraud checks as Bazaarvoice deepens its role in the platform.
Shoppers can now see cashback offers in real time inside ChatGPT chats, as Minty targets AI-led buying decisions and retail media budgets.
Wider access to affiliate tools could help smaller creators cash in as US social commerce heads towards USD $100 billion next year.
Consumers now switch between screens and shopping modes so quickly that MiQ says advertisers are misreading how purchases really happen.
Advertisers can now assess TikTok search, commerce and Lite placements for brand safety and viewability as IAS widens its measurement coverage globally.
Retailers can now keep refunds, rewards and gift cards in one balance, reducing friction for shoppers and fees for brands.
AI shopping agents, stricter sustainability rules and tougher cross-border compliance are set to reshape online retail by 2026.
Growing distrust of AI-made posts is pushing brands towards human-led social campaigns as younger shoppers increasingly favour authenticity online.
Creators and small businesses can now take payments inside Canva, reaching its 265 million users through PayPal-hosted checkout links and QR codes.
Brands may need to adapt review content for AI search, as Bazaarvoice’s new API makes user-generated ratings crawlable for recommendation engines.
Overseas buyers now account for 44% of online sales for surveyed Irish SMEs, as social commerce and AI reshape growth plans.
Advertisers now have a bigger rival to subscription services, as YouTube drew the largest ad-supported audience in Canada, Numeris found.
Gen Z shoppers can now test looks and seek friend feedback in one place, as WNTD bets on social discovery away from retail sites.
Greater competition in social commerce is prompting Markable to offer AI shopping tools free, as it targets faster growth from more creators.
Brands can now tie ad spend more closely to real purchases, as Wayvia adds confirmed retail sales data to its updated shoppable platform.
Shoppers can now return rugs without printing labels or using a portal, as UK retailer Rugs Direct moves the process into WhatsApp.
A survey of 2,000 UK consumers found convenience can lift spend, with younger shoppers most willing to pay for smoother retail journeys.