Florida has emerged as the leading state in the U.S. in terms of livestream sales, surpassing other states with a remarkable $1.6 billion in lifetime sales on the platform Whatnot.
Since its inception in 2019, the livestream shopping platform Whatnot has enabled sellers across the country to showcase their products through live video interactions, allowing consumers to engage directly with sellers and participate in live auctions.
Florida’s sellers have outperformed their counterparts in California and New York, ranking first in the nation for live commerce sales. This success is attributed to the innovative approaches adopted by Florida’s small business owners, who have embraced passion-driven commerce.
Armand Wilson, Vice President of Categories and Expansion at Whatnot, commented on this achievement by stating, “We built Whatnot to give people the tools to turn their passions into thriving businesses, and it’s exciting to see how livestream selling is reshaping the way entrepreneurs and small businesses connect with shoppers in real time and achieve success. Florida’s small business owners are leading the way, proving what’s possible when innovation meets passion.”
The diversity of products sold on Whatnot is vast. Approximately 30% of live sellers focus on sneakers, while sports collectibles and men’s fashion each account for 29%. Beauty products make up 17%, followed by women’s fashion at 15%. Handbags, jewelry, and accessories are the focus for 9% of sellers. Electronics, antiques, and coins account for 8%, 7%, and 4% respectively.
Whatnot’s influence is not limited to Florida. The platform hosts a wide range of sellers nationwide, with California being home to the largest percentage at 13%. Florida, hosting 8% of sellers, and Texas with 7%, follow closely.
As of 2024, Whatnot’s annual gross merchandise value has surpassed $2 billion, showcasing the significant impact of livestream commerce across the country. The top states ranked by gross merchandise value from 2019 to 2024 include Florida, California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Michigan, and Nevada.
Florida’s dominance in the livestream sales sector highlights the state’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The state’s small business owners have successfully leveraged the Whatnot platform to reach a wide audience, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.
Source: Businessobserverfl
