Shopping on Instagram – mission possible!

Shopping on Instagram – mission possible!

On 19^th March Instagram introduced its new checkout feature and took another step to become a complete e-commerce business[1].

Users can now make purchases without even leaving the app. The retailers are charged a fee for being present; the service is free of charge for the consumers. Shopping in Instagram is currently only available in the USA[2].

“Checkout is just one part of our long-term investment in the shopping,” Instagram shares. “We’re excited to introduce even more ways for people to enjoy shopping on Instagram this year.”[3]

According to the Verge[4], Instagram is building a standalone shopping app, already since last year, so the abovementioned statements of Instagram about the future of the company don`t come as a surprise.

People in the US will be able to check out with more than 20 brands, among which are Balmain, Burberry, Dior, H&M, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Uniqlo, Zara.

The Checkout button will reduce the number of cart abandoners, as users will have fewer steps before purchase, which will consequently boost sales and revenue, both for brands and Instagram itself.

Additionally, by becoming a fashion destination, the app turns into a one-stop-shop, sparing the user the downloading and browsing through many different retailer`s apps.

[1] https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/19/18271840/instagram-checkout-shopping-facebook-business

[2] https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/19/instagram-checkout/?fbclid=IwAR1o8RqWJrYVPvMAgCYLyMLXTNd6LWSHI9Ja1YPUdpEjLohca-p3du9LSb4&guccounter=1

[3] https://business.instagram.com/blog/new-to-instagram-shopping-checkout

[4] https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/4/17819766/instagram-shopping-app-e-commerce