TikTok appears to be pumping the brakes on its U.S. livestreaming plans while retailers and platforms, including Amazon.com, Poshmark, Qurate, Shein and Walmart, are stepping on the gas.

“We believe that TikTok can be a powerful source of organic discovery and hope that we have the opportunity to utilize it as such.”

Sephora says the TikTok incubator is not a one-off and will be available to three new brands each quarter.

TikTok is facing restrictions in some U.S. states, with some government figures pushing for more comprehensive, and even federal, bans, with big implications for brands and retailers promoting content on the single most popular app in the world. Should retailers keep the potential state or federal banning of TikTok in mind when building out marketing strategies?

Heads up Amazon.com, Qurate, Walmart et al. TikTok is staffing up in preparation to building its own online fulfillment centers in the U.S. The nation’s and world’s most popular video sharing app has been looking to hire logistics professionals in Seattle. What will it take for TikTok to become a major e-commerce platform in the U.S.?

Users of TikTok and other social platforms are sharing their finds at Costco, helping to make the warehouse club a destination for bargain fashion. Why are Costco fashion finds going viral on social media?

With the hashtag #weddingtok drawing for over 2.9 billion views, TikTok is earning a reputation as a go-to destination for brides seeking real-life inspiration from actual brides and fashion experts. What does its success with brides indicate about how TikTok may evolve as a platform for product discovery and commerce?

Retailers are not faring as well in their acquisition marketing efforts this year as they have in recent years, according to a new study. What’s the best path for digital marketers to overcome the customer acquisition cost challenges related to paid social?

TikTok might be the most downloaded social app both in the U.S. and globally, but American consumers will not be using it to shop anytime soon. TikTok is abandoning its plans to expand livestream shopping capabilities into U.S. and European markets. What will TikTok’s change in plans mean for the future of livestreaming in the U.S.?

Short videos like those found on TikTok are a major source of entertainment today, especially for generations Gen Z and younger. Now an online grocery startup is utilizing the model on a platform of its own to get engage customers. Do you think the inclusion of TikTok-style, user-generated videos will boost engagement and sales?

Walmart is looking to spread a little livestreaming retail cheer this holiday season, with plans to run 30 individual livestreaming events, including a 30-minute variety show, featuring a variety of products and special guests. Do you agree that the future of retail lies in social commerce?

TikTok is opening a pop-up shop at the Westfield London mega-mall to enable fans to interact with star influencers and learn how to create their own mini-films. What do you think of TikTok’s “For You House” and the potential for bringing more of the social media experience to retail?

TikTok is piloting a program, “TikTok Resumes,” that lets its users apply for jobs on video. Approximately three dozen companies are taking part in the pilot, including Chipotle, Target and Shopify. What do you think of video resumes and the potential of TikTok as a job placement tool?

In 2019, a number of articles speculated whether the TikTok phenomenon would wind up being a fad. A number of reports in recent months, however, point to the video app becoming a primary tool to reach younger consumers.  Is TikTok moving past Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and other social platforms as the tool for engagement and shopping discovery with younger consumers?

Starbucks has a pretty solid reputation as an employer, but some of its baristas are saying management is actually contributing to making things harder for workers.  Do the complaints by current and former baristas about Starbucks’ mobile ordering system have merit and does the company appear to be responding appropriately?

Many retailers are hungry for social media notoriety and the traffic it brings but, for Starbucks and its employees, becoming the object of a TikTok trend is turning into a giant headache. Should Starbucks and other retailers place limits on social trend-driven purchases like “appucinos” or should they encourage them?

Walmart’s interest in TikTok continues. The retailer worked with the video platform in December and the test went well enough that it has planned a return performance to host an hour-long livestream event. What is your assessment of the relationship that Walmart has developed with TikTok?

Dunkin’ recently launched a campaign in which it asked fans to come up with “menu hacks” and post them on TikTok, according to Yahoo Finance. Will Dunkin’ find success with its menu hack campaign on TikTok?

Shopify announced yesterday that it is partnering with TikTok to enable the one million-plus sellers on its e-commerce platform to place shoppable ads on the world’s most popular short form video app.   Does being a first mover give Shopify and its sellers an edge over others who may be looking to leverage TikTok’s popularity?

Early in the pandemic, retailers needed to pivot to survive in a socially-distanced landscape. San Diego-based Candy Me Up’s pivot was the app, TikTok.  Do you think Candy Me Up’s experience with TikTok was unique or can other retailers use the app to attract new customers and drive sales?

Walmart announced yesterday that it would join Microsoft in its bid to acquire TikTok’s business in the U.S. Microsoft is also bidding to buy TikTok’s Canadian, Australian and New Zealand operations. What would acquiring TikTok with Microsoft mean for Walmart’s U.S. business?