Video app TikTok leans into e-commerce with Shopify deal
The popular short-form video app TikTok, still under U.S. government scrutiny for its Chinese ownership, is moving closer to becoming a marketplace for buying stuff. Canadian e-commerce platform Shopify said Tuesday it's made a deal with TikTok enabling merchants to create โshoppableโ video ads that drive customers to online stores. The partnership was announced Tuesday amid stalled negotiations for Walmart to buy a 7.5% stake in the video app. Then, video ads will be automatically generated that could show up in a TikTok userโs video feed and drive customers to Shopify for checkout. Walmart and Shopify are on good terms, having teamed up against Amazon in June on a deal that enables Shopifyโs small businesses to get listed on Walmart.com.