News analysis U.S. companies are beginning to adopt an online retail model widely used in China: livestreaming e-commerce. Livestreaming e-commerce is the live promotion and selling of products via social media influencers either on their own channels or on the channel of an e-commerce platform. In China, it is mostly held on a channel hosted by one of the online shopping giants such as Alibaba. Livestreaming retail is not completely new. The experience is akin to a segment on the QVC or Home Shopping Network, but the Chinese shows are often much more energetic and hosted by young, charismatic celebrities hawking the products. The segments are not fully focused on the shopping, as some sessions feature live performances and other variety shows. Walmart—the retail giant and largest chain store in the world—held its first U.S. livestreaming e-commerce session on Dec. 18 on TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform that has …