Global Scans · Shopping · Weekly Summary

• [New] Platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Threads have become digital thrift malls where creators sell curated drops and one-of-a-kind pieces at a faster pace than any legacy brand could dream of. ISTITUTOMARANGONI
• [New] 92% of consumers surveyed believe AR will transform how people shop, learn, and interact online. Kivicube Blog
• [New] The fact that two out of three US consumers already shop with AI assistance means Japan and other markets will follow on a delay. Stellagent Inc.
• [New] TikTok Shop and Instagram are emerging conversion points, and brands have opportunities to integrate social into discovery-to-checkout journeys. NIQ
• [New] US social commerce is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2026, with TikTok Shop alone driving massive volume through seamless, in-app purchasing. Branvas
• [New] User Base Expansion: The number of online shoppers is steadily rising, with 4.1 billion users expected to shop online by 2030. 6amTech
• [New] In the UK more than 1.5 million people are thought to be using weight-loss drugs, which will have repercussions for the way we shop and eat. The Week
• Cultivated meat is expected to hit UK shop shelves around 2026 or 2027. Cultivated Meat Shop
• By 2026, a key evolution among TikTok Shop trends will be the shift from fixed, flat-rate commissions to dynamic, performance-based structures. HiveHQ
• By 2026, a dominant TikTok Shop trend will be the strategic use of cross-shop affiliate networks. HiveHQ
• By 2026, a major shift in TikTok Shop trends will be the rise of creator retainer agreements, offering a hybrid approach that provides security for creators and guaranteed output for brands. HiveHQ
• By 2026, a critical TikTok Shop trend will be the shift to real-time profit dashboard decision-making. HiveHQ
• By 2026, building scaled networks of micro-creators (10K-100K followers) will be one of the most profitable TikTok Shop trends. HiveHQ
• By 2026, one of the most significant TikTok Shop trends will be the widespread adoption of AI-powered creator-product matching. HiveHQ
• By 2026, the digital landscape will look drastically different as ultra luxury brands completely redefine what it means to shop online. VERTU

Last updated: 18 May 2026