The reported move is seen as a way for the company to force people to use TikTok Shop if they want to purchase an item that they see on the app.
The $500 million loss reflects the company’s deep investment in hiring, creating a delivery network and subsidizing merchants that offer discounts and free shipping.
By banning outside e-commerce links, TikTok would prevent creators from promoting things like kitchen items and furniture that are available on their Amazon storefront.
ByteDance wants TikTok to create an international online shopping business similar Douyin, which had a merchandise volume of more than $200 billion last year.
For instance, the company’s employees look at bestselling items on Amazon, and then reach out to the merchants to convince them to join TikTok Shop, while offering them zero commissions for the first three months.
TikTok Shop isn’t the only way that the company plans to expand into e-commerce, as TikTok recently confirmed that it’s testing a new in-app “Trendy Beat” shopping section where it is offering products for sale that are shipped and sold by a subsidiary of ByteDance.
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