TikTok lays groundwork for Australian e-commerce launch
TikTok has filed an Australian trademark application for the name "TikTok Shop", the global social media giant's fledgling e-commerce business.
TikTok has filed a trademark application in Australia for TikTok Shop, the global social media giant’s fledgling e-commerce business, in the strongest sign yet the Bytedance-owned short-form video app is preparing to launch the service in the local market.
TikTok announced the expansion of its e-commerce initiative to the United States in September last year, following launches in the UK and select Asian markets. In a blog post, the company said the feature would bring shoppable videos and livestreams to the app’s coveted “For You” page, and offer order fulfilment services to US merchants.
“In short, TikTok Shop is an e-commerce platform that businesses can use to market their products, grow their brand, and sell items online directly to TikTok users right within the TikTok app,” the company said.
The company’s expansion to Australia has since late last year been the subject of mounting speculation among influential creators on the platform. Some have said in videos they have been told by representatives of TikTok that the app has plans to launch its e-commerce platform from mid-2024.
