As far as eCommerce trends for 2025 go, social commerce and live shopping are certainly one of the top ones for brands looking to connect with modern shoppers. As we move into 2025, these two trends are not just buzzwords; they represent how brands engage, sell, and deliver personalized experiences. For retailers, the message is clear: adapt or risk falling behind.
This shift, influenced heavily by China’s eCommerce advancements, is already reshaping Western markets. Brands leveraging TikTok, Instagram, and live video platforms are capturing new audiences, boosting conversions, and redefining the customer journey. Understanding these trends is crucial for brands looking to stay ahead of evolving shopper behaviours.
Social Commerce: The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Social commerce is projected to generate $2 trillion globally by 2025. The rise of TikTok, Instagram Shopping, and Facebook Marketplace is bridging the gap between discovery and purchase, turning browsing into impulse buying.
Key Social Commerce Statistics:
• TikTok’s #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt trend alone has amassed over 60 billion views, highlighting the platform’s ability to drive purchasing decisions.
• In the US, social commerce sales are expected to hit nearly $80 billion by 2025.
• Gen Z and Millennials lead this movement, with 70% of Gen Z preferring to shop through social media channels.
Why does this matter? The numbers point to a critical consumer shift. Social platforms are no longer “awareness tools”; they are becoming full-fledged eCommerce ecosystems. Retailers must rethink how they engage audiences on these channels to convert views into sales.
Live Shopping: A Proven Success in China
Live shopping blends entertainment, real-time interaction, and easy purchasing—an approach that has set a new standard in China. While the West is catching up, China’s results provide a clear roadmap for success.
China’s Influence on the West:
• Live commerce in China generated nearly $700 billion in sales in 2023 alone.
• Platforms like Taobao Live accounted for 20% – 25% of all Chinese eCommerce sales.
• Alibaba’s Singles Day livestreams consistently attract hundreds of millions of viewers.
Brands like L’Oréal and Nike have adopted these strategies globally, showcasing products through live demos, answering real-time questions, and running flash sales. These strategies not only attract large audiences but also demonstrate how live shopping drives faster purchasing decisions and boosts customer engagement. The result? Increased engagement, faster decision-making, and higher conversion rates.
Big Brands Already Leveraging Live and Social Shopping
Leading retailers are already embracing these trends. Here’s what success looks like:
1. TikTok x Walmart Walmart’s live shopping events on TikTok brought together influencers and exclusive product launches, driving both sales and brand visibility. Walmart reported strong engagement and saw younger audiences participate in real-time purchases.
2. LVMH Group Luxury brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton have used live shopping to create exclusive, interactive events that replicate the in-store experience online. These streams attract thousands of global shoppers and reinforce brand exclusivity.
3. Samsung and John Lewis with Confer With Retailers like John Lewis have partnered with brands including Samsung, Sage, and Smeg, alongside major names like Hughes, Dunelm, and Panasonic, showcasing the growing adoption of live shopping across diverse retail sectors. to bring live, personalized consultations to their websites. Confer With enables customers to connect with product experts through live video, delivering tailored advice and personalized recommendations that drive confidence and conversions. This strategy has already delivered impressive results:
• 24% average conversion rate.
• CSAT score of 91, proving high customer satisfaction.
• Significant increases in basket size for high-value products.
The takeaway? Major players are combining social and live experiences to meet shifting customer expectations.
What This Means for 1-2-1 Shopping
Social and live shopping trends both point toward one outcome: consumers want personalized, interactive experiences. This is where 1-2-1 video shopping platforms like Confer With excel.
By enabling real-time conversations with product experts, Confer With delivers truly unique and personalized shopping experiences by combining live engagement with expert consultations, setting a new standard for 1-2-1 video shopping. Whether it’s selecting the perfect Sage coffee machine or the latest Samsung TV, shoppers benefit from:
• Personalized Recommendations: Experts provide advice tailored to individual needs.
• Real-Time Interaction: Immediate answers to questions, reducing hesitation and increasing conversions.
• Enhanced Customer Experience: Replicating the in-store environment online boosts satisfaction and loyalty.
As social commerce accelerates and live video becomes mainstream, platforms like Confer With ensure brands remain competitive in 2025.
Why Brands Should Prioritise These eCommerce Trends for 2025
Ignoring social and live shopping is no longer an option. Here’s why brands must act:
• Consumers Expect Engagement: Social media and live events provide a level of interaction that static product pages cannot.
• Conversion Opportunities: Combining entertainment with real-time purchasing drives impulse and planned sales.
• The Market is Growing: Social commerce alone will be a multi-trillion-dollar industry within the next two years.
Actionable Insights for Brands:
1. Invest in live shopping events to showcase products and engage audiences.
2. Optimize social commerce strategies to streamline the path from discovery to purchase.
3. Partner with platforms like Confer With to deliver expert, personalized experiences that combine the strengths of both trends.
Wrapping Up
Social commerce and live shopping aren’t actually just eCommerce trends for 2025; they are essential strategies that forward-thinking brands are embracing to better connect with their customers and stay relevant. With global giants already reaping the benefits, brands that adapt early will stand out. Confer With, named a Gartner Cool Vendor, makes this transition seamless by offering real-time, personalized interactions that align perfectly with the eCommerce agenda for 2025. This recognition highlights Confer With’s leadership in live shopping, validating its ability to drive innovation and measurable results for retailers.
How will your brand meet customers where they’re already shopping online??
