TikTok Shop Launches ‘Shop Local’ Support Scheme to Boost British SMBs
TikTok Shop, the online shopping platform within the popular video app, has announced the launch of ‘Shop Local’, a support scheme designed to help British small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) increase sales and reach new audiences.
At the forefront of this initiative is farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty, who will work with TikTok Shop to select five local British businesses to receive a dedicated support package worth over £150,000. The scheme aims to help these businesses harness the growing demand for homegrown goods by using TikTok Shop’s unique ‘discovery commerce’ model.
According to research commissioned by TikTok Shop, there is a strong demand for British products among UK consumers, with 83% of people saying they would buy more locally produced goods if they were more widely available. Yet, many SMBs struggle to keep pace with this demand, with more than half reporting that running a business is harder today than it was a year ago.
TikTok Shop has already proven to be a successful sales channel for UK businesses, with over 200,000 SMBs currently selling through the platform and more than 6,000 Shop Lives hosted daily. With the launch of the ‘Shop Local’ scheme, TikTok Shop is investing a further £750,000 to help British businesses unlock growth.
Doherty, who is known for co-hosting the popular TV show Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, expressed his excitement for the initiative, stating, “The Shop Local scheme is an incredible opportunity for small British businesses to take that next step into online sales with the support of TikTok Shop.”
The support package for the chosen businesses includes hands-on guidance from TikTok Shop experts, mentorship for staff members on how to grow sales on the platform, training on how to utilize TikTok Shop LIVE, subsidized marketing support, and featured promotion across TikTok Shop to reach more customers.
Jan Wilk, Head of TikTok Shop UK, highlighted the unique selling point of the platform, saying, “Unlike other digital shopping platforms, TikTok Shop is based on discovery commerce. Smaller businesses don’t need huge followings or big budgets to be seen – if you have a great British product, the For You Feed is your place to shine and find viral success.”
To be eligible for the scheme, businesses must be based in the UK, have less than 250 employees, and sell locally produced goods. To enter, businesses are required to create and share a TikTok video demonstrating their offering to their local community, using the hashtag #ShopLocalComp and tagging @TikTokShop_UK. The winners will be selected and contacted by 12 December for participation.
TikTok Shop has been identified as the fastest growing online retailer in 2024 by NielsenIQ, with a 131% increase in the number of shoppers and a 180% rise in revenue from the previous year.
The ‘Shop Local’ support scheme is set to provide a lifeline for British businesses struggling to keep up with the growing demand for local products. As the UK economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in supporting and promoting British SMBs.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.