TikTok Shop Expands to France, Germany, and Italy Amid Uncertainty in U.S. Market
TikTok Shop will launch in France, Germany, and Italy on Monday, extending its e-commerce footprint across Europe even as its future in the United States remains uncertain.
The platform, part of the social media app TikTok, has been available in the United Kingdom since 2021 and entered the U.S. market in September 2023. It reported strong sales during the 2023 holiday season.
However, TikTok faces a potential ban in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its American operations.
Jan Wilk, Head of Operations at TikTok Shop UK, said the company is already working with merchants in France, Germany, and Italy to list their products ahead of the launch.
“In France, Germany, and Italy, we are already working with merchants to get their products listed on the platform and TikTok Shop will be available to our TikTok users from next Monday,” Wilk said.
He added that the European rollout is expected to be faster than the UK launch, which began four years ago and required significant user education and platform adjustments.
In France, supermarket chain Carrefour will join TikTok Shop. In Germany, fast-fashion retailer AboutYou and cosmetics brand Cosnova will begin selling on the platform.
TikTok Shop allows users to host livestreams to sell products ranging from sneakers to eyeshadow, earning commissions on sales. The platform is known for offering discounted items.
Wilk said TikTok Shop aims to broaden its product range and pricing. He cited the example of a UK-based luxury goods store selling second-hand Birkin bags on the platform.
TikTok Shop to launch in France, Germany, and Italy on Monday
Platform already active in UK since 2021 and U.S. since Sept. 2023
U.S. operations face uncertainty unless ByteDance finds American buyer
Source: REUTERS