Consumer Trend 2021: shopping through social media

2 min read 

by | Jan 7, 2021 | Trending | 0 comments

It’s not a secret that technology has revolutionized shopping over the last decade, especially seeing giants like Amazon thrive. And in 2021, there is no exception. While we are still in the midst of a pandemic whose impact will last well into the new year, most consumers have turned to platforms like Amazon for goods, Instacart for groceries, and Doordash for a restaurant meal from the comfort of their own home. It’s simple, quick, and you don’t even have to leave the house. What else could one ask for? So, it comes to no surprise when Instagram released an update that followed in the footsteps of their parent company, Facebook. In this update, they completely uprooted the structure, much to the chagrin of some users, and added a new tab for shopping.

As owner of the app Instagram, Facebook saw the success it had when enacting Marketplace on their own platform. In 2018, two years after its release, it was announced that approximately 800 million people in 70 countries use the feature to shop local vendors. For reference, that is more than double the population of the USA. No wonder they put it on Instagram!

It’s used by so many people due to its wide variety of items. Just upon opening my own personal Facebook, I was greeted with different products, from Apple Airpods, an LED Ring Light, and a hammock chair. On Instagram, I found candles, clothing, and shoes. Whatever you need, you have a high chance of locating it on either marketplace (for a relatively cheaper price, to boot). Facebook’s selection appeared to be local content, while Instagram seemed to be mostly sponsored vendors. Also, on Facebook Marketplace, you have the option to sell your own items. So, if you need to declutter and are looking to make some money, Facebook is at your beck and call!

Looking ahead to 2021, we see this consumer trend continuing to flourish as online shopping becomes the norm for so many consumers. 

What other apps could you see releasing this feature? TikTok? Twitter? Leave a comment below or tweet us @consumersense and let us know!

 

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