Global Scans · Shopping · Weekly Summary

• [New] TikTok Shop has expanded into service business categories, opening lead-capture units for service operators that previously could only run organic content with bio links. Social Media Strategy HQ
• [New] Waterside Bites: An automated retail hub inspired by Norfolk's lively Waterside District, Waterside Bites, will offer travelers a one-stop shop for hot and cold food and beverages. DFNI
• [New] TikTok Shop specifically is projected to hit $23.4 billion in US GMV by 2026, making it the fastest-growing social commerce platform in the United States. Fungies.io - Sell digital products seamlessly
• [New] By 2026, billions are expected to spend at least an hour daily in immersive environments, fundamentally changing the way people shop and interact with brands. Bigeye
• [New] TikTok Shop is growing the fastest, with projected US sales of $23.4 billion in 2026, a 48% year-over-year increase. Ringly.io
• [New] The journey through the top TikTok Shop trends that will define 2026 reveals a clear and powerful narrative: the future belongs to the operators who can build intelligent, automated, and profitable systems. HiveHQ
• [New] Approximately 1.65 billion people are expected to shop via smartphone in 2026, which is one-third of the global digital population. Flowlu
• 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
• 92% of consumers surveyed believe AR will transform how people shop, learn, and interact online. Kivicube Blog
• 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.
• TikTok Shop and Instagram are emerging conversion points, and brands have opportunities to integrate social into discovery-to-checkout journeys. NIQ
• US social commerce is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2026, with TikTok Shop alone driving massive volume through seamless, in-app purchasing. Branvas
• User Base Expansion: The number of online shoppers is steadily rising, with 4.1 billion users expected to shop online by 2030. 6amTech

Last updated: 01 June 2026