Gen Z-focused e-commerce platform joins livestream party

Verishop intends to draw young shoppers with an app-based livestream shopping offering.

The e-commerce retailer, which positions itself as an Amazon challenger focused on “bringing joy” back to online shopping with a focus on younger consumers, is launching livestream shopping in the Verishop iOS app. Beginning Monday, June 14, Verishop is rolling out more than 125 livestream shopping programs a week, 12 hours a day, hosted by more than 115 expert streamers who will share, show and answer questions about the 125,000-plus products on Verishop.

Long popular in Asia, in the past year or so livestream shopping has become an increasingly mainstream digital commerce channel in the U.S. Walmart, Facebook, and Nordstrom are just a few high-profile examples of U.S. retailers with livestream shopping offerings.

Verishop’s new livestream shopping feature will also encompass its Shop Party social shopping tool, which enables users of its iOS app to hang out and shop online with up to five friends in a private video commerce experience created for browsing and checking out together -- anytime, from anywhere.

In addition, a shoppable content feed will enable customers to scroll through photos and videos for inspiration and shop directly from the content, tagged with products with the help of artificial intelligence. Customers can create their own profile, and share content and collections. Approved Verishop creators can also make 10% commission on any purchase made through shoppable content they post on the app.

“We started Verishop two years ago to create a social shopping destination that brings joy back to online shopping,” Verishop said in a statement. “Historically, online shopping has largely been lonely, search-driven and uninspiring. E-commerce platforms with large selections are lacking in delightful ways to discover new products. Social media destinations are inspirational but are disconnected from the shopping functionality, creating friction and confusion. The launch of livestream shopping on the Verishop iOS app is our next step in seamlessly combining ways to discover, connect and shop in an engaging app designed for commerce.”