Ep. 68: TikTok Shop

This week, we investigate the emergence of TikTok Shop, exploring its bizarre interface and offerings as representative of a new era of e-commerce and consumer psychology. We discuss the redefinition of the “small business,” the vulgarity of commerce as content, and strategies of pathological guerilla marketing. We also take a stroll through the Shop ourselves to observe the “gyatt pajamas,” chamoy pickle kits, and pheromone oils that are sweeping the nation. TikTok’s official Shop press releaseTikTok Shop in the New York TimesChamoy pickle kit explainerDr. Candice Lin on Zheng XiangxiangFV Makeup foundation videosChina Too Cool: Vernacular Innovations and Aesthetic Discontinuity of China – Yijing ZhouUX in China: More Is More, Super Apps, and Community - Yuan Qing Lim (Config 2022)Livestream Shopping Is Not Going to Take Over E-Commerce – ForbesTwitter as a Payment Processor – Financial TimesIndonesia’s TikTok Shop Ban – Financial TimesTeens Selling on TikTok Shop – NBC, Financial TimesTikTok Shop’s Snail Mucin Dupe Problem – Wired