Online Shopping In UK Launched By Instagram

The development marks the Facebook owned firm’s most significant push into ecommerce since the introduction of Instagram for Business tools in 2016. It has also introduced a shoppable advert system dubbed “collection” campaigns earlier this year.

The new Shopping function provides people with a visual storefront to explore new products from the brands they love according to Instagram.

Shoppers can tap on a tagged post with easy access to pricing and product details post within their feed to buy. They can shop a specific product directly from the brand’s website, without having to search for it.

Marks & Spencer a high street giant was one among the three businesses to take part in the UK test phase of the shopping function.

“Instagram Shopping offers us the opportunity to realise the huge potential of our 760,000 followers,” M&S head of digital marketing Erin Roy said.

Instagram has always been a great platform to showcase our products and engage with customers.

“Shoppable posts take this to a whole new level. They are simple to create, easy for our customers to use and enhance the Instagram experience.”

The UK launch of shopping followed a successful introduction in US last year.

“People come to Instagram every day to discover and buy products from their favourite businesses,” Instagram head of business Jim Squires said.

“We want that to be a seamless experience. Whether it may be a local artisan, florist or clothing store, shopping on Instagram has never been easier.”