HOME SHOPPING SERVICES MARKET Challenges and Opportunities

One of the key challenges faced by the home shopping services market is the strong preference that many consumers still have for the physical shopping experience. Shopping in stores allows consumers to see, touch, and try out products in person before making a purchase decision. This hands-on experience helps build confidence in the quality of the items. It also makes the shopping process more fun and engaging. Replicating this immersive feel through online channels has proven difficult. As a result, some consumers remain hesitant to replace most or all of their shopping with digital formats. Establishing trust that the quality of items bought unseen will meet expectations continues to be a barrier, especially for expensive or infrequently purchased products. Overcoming this psychological reliance on physical stores and convincing more customers that digital shopping can provide a comparable experience will be important for the long-term growth of the home shopping services industry.

Home Shopping Services Market Opportunity: Emergence of Live Commerce Models Like Livestreams

One significant opportunity emerging for the home shopping services market is the rise of live commerce models. Livestreaming platforms that allow sellers to interact with customers in real-time through video are gaining significant traction across certain demographics and product categories. Consumers shopping through these livestreams can get a more engaging experience that brings elements of the physical shopping environment into the home. Sellers can demonstrate products, answer questions, and build social interactions and trust with viewers—addressing some of the shortcomings of conventional e-commerce. The livestreaming trend originated in China and other Asian markets but is now expanding globally. As more consumers and merchants adopt these new social selling tools, they have the potential to revitalize online shopping and make it a more compelling alternative to traditional physical stores.