Snapchat Acquires Product Recommendation App Screenshop To Advance E-commerce

Recently, Snapchat has been making a lot of big moves. Following the news that Snapchat acquired the startup Fit Analytics, foreign media recently reported that Snapchat has acquired the product recommendation application Screenshop.

It is understood that Screenshop is able to scan user-uploaded photos to identify the style choices the user desires, and then provide clothing suggestions based on these findings.

Screenshop launched in 2017, and the app gained early traction after Kim Kardashian featured it in her Instagram post.

Currently, Screenshop cooperates with more than 450 retailers and brands such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Selfridges to recommend products.

Snapchat’s acquisition of Screenshop is to incorporate it into broader e-commerce efforts integrated with AR, such as the new Bitmoji fashion products developed by Snapchat and AR trial tools for cosmetics and shoes.

Not only that, with the development of AR full-body tracking programs, Snapchat is researching new ways to help users virtually try on more clothes to advance online shopping options.

Previously, Snapchat acquired the startup Fit Analytics to develop its fashion and e-commerce businesses with the help of the company’s personalization tools, analysis tools and other technologies.

In addition, the report also mentioned that Snapchat plans to announce its specific plans for e-commerce business at its annual developer conference in late May, focusing on advanced AR tools and digital products.

According to The Information, this includes a new shopping recommendation feature, which is primarily accessible in Memories, where users can save photos and videos for later review.

From the many initiatives of Snapchat mentioned above, it is not difficult to find that AR appears frequently. According to Deloitte’s definition, AR shopping enables customers to interact with brands and products through digital experiences, allowing them to virtually try, interact or personalize their products. These experiences help provide more detailed, intuitive product information.

The global AR shopping market size was USD 1.24 billion in 2019 and is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47.1% from 2020 to 2027.

Factors such as the increase in smartphone penetration, more digital shopping experiences and the development of AR technology have promoted the development of AR shopping. Sellers can also pay attention to this new shopping method.