According to TikTok’s own data, 3 out of 4 users are likely to purchase from brands on TikTok Shop, but what drives this engagement?
The reason isn’t simply convenience. It’s trust, outsourced to influencers. Brand identity is no longer the sole driver of purchasing decisions. Instead, younger audiences place greater confidence in the opinions of creators they follow and admire. Products are vetted not by reputation but by relatability.
Major brands have moved quickly to exploit this dynamic. Unilever is among those investing heavily in influencer-led commerce, particularly as TikTok Shop grows among younger audiences. “Our brands are harnessing this dynamic platform to fuel growth and close the gap between content and conversion.”
According to Jessica Bee, E-Commerce Lead, TikTok Shop offers something traditional retail cannot: speed and experimentation. “TikTok Shop gives us the freedom to test and learn – trialling new formats, bundles and content to see what resonates. It’s a space where we can be agile and show up like a challenger brand, reacting quickly and tapping into trends. That flexibility means we can experiment at pace, learn fast, and scale what works.”
A collaboration with Molly-Mae Hague demonstrates the appeal. Her curated cleaning bundle generated 14 million views, with one video reaching 1.8 million people, according to company figures. The success wasn’t just the product; it was the name behind it.
Emily Waite, Senior Commerce Lead, Homecare, Unilever UK, commented, “TikTok Shop is helping us reach new shoppers, driving both brand awareness and business growth.”
Influencers sit at the centre of this model, expected to be both relatable and to offer real-time, “authentic” reviews. For some, the contradiction is increasingly challenging to manage.
Fashion, fitness, and beauty influencer Tyra Baylis says honesty is hard to sustain when TikTok Shop drives content.
Tyra said, “It’s difficult to be honest because a lot of the time it’s creating content for TikTok Shop. So I do try and do both, but TikTok Shop does usually overpower.”
Tyra’s TikTok Shop videos dominate her feed, earning over 1.2 million likes from her 14,600 followers. Posting daily, she shares her favourite products and recommendations, with her most popular videos reaching millions and capturing the attention of brands.
By utilising her platform, Tyra has built a loyal fan base and driven engagement, translating into tangible success.
As she explained, “Your name gets out there to brands. All the brands you shop and buy from give you free products, and you also make a lot of money on TikTok Shop.”
But success is conditional. What sells is dictated by seasonality, trends, and algorithmic favour. Creativity takes a back seat to timing. Authenticity becomes a performance, one that must convert.