Amazon’s New 3D Shopping Experience and ‘Buy It Now’ Show: What Handmade Sellers Need to Know

Why Amazon's Holiday Innovations Could Change the Game for Online Shopping (and How Handmade Sellers Can Take Note)

Amazon is shaking things up this holiday season with two exciting new initiatives: an immersive 3D shopping experience through Amazon Beyond and a Shark Tank-style competition show called Buy It Now. Both are designed to make holiday shopping easier, interactive, and, dare we say, more fun!

If you’re a handmade seller, these trends offer a lot of inspiration for creating unique shopping experiences and memorable interactions with your own customers.

Let’s take a look into what Amazon’s latest moves mean for online shopping and how handmade businesses like yours can stand out.

The 3D Shopping Experience: Amazon Beyond’s Virtual Holiday Shop

Amazon’s new immersive 3D shopping experience, powered by Amazon Beyond, is taking holiday shopping to the next level. The Virtual Holiday Shop curates over 100 top gift items, from stocking stuffers to trending products, featuring big names like Beats x Kim Kardashian, Kate Spade, and Bumble and Bumble. Shoppers can explore products in a virtual space, simulating the feeling of browsing a real storefront, but with the convenience of online shopping.

Why It Matters for Handmade Sellers

The virtual experience trend emphasizes how vital it is for online sellers to create interactive, memorable experiences.

Even if you don’t have Amazon’s tech resources, you can still build an experience that engages customers:

• Curate Gift Guides: Create a holiday gift guide on your website with categories like “Stocking Stuffers” or “Best Sellers.” This can help buyers discover items more easily and visualize how your products fit into their holiday shopping.

• Use 3D Product Images: If possible, consider adding 3D or interactive images to your listings. Apps like Shopify AR allow you to add augmented reality features, letting customers “see” your products in their space.

• Add Personalization: Take a note from Amazon’s curated shopping approach by recommending products based on customer interests or popular items.

  
  

Amazon’s Buy It Now: Shopping Meets Entertainment

In addition to the Virtual Holiday Shop, Amazon has introduced a new show called Buy It Now, hosted by comedian JB Smoove. Imagine a mix between Shark Tank and QVC, where entrepreneurs pitch their products to a panel of judges—including Amazon execs, Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, and other celebrity guests—in under 90 seconds.

The unique twist? The show’s audience, called “The 100,” is composed of potential customers, whose votes help decide if the product makes it to Amazon’s special “Buy It Now” store. Each episode’s winning product also receives $20,000 in prize money.

What This Means for Handmade Sellers

Amazon’s latest effort to merge shopping with entertainment shows how important it is to create an emotional connection with buyers. Here’s how you can take a cue from Buy It Now and apply it to your brand:

• Showcase Your Products in Video Content: Customers love to see products in action. Consider creating short, engaging product videos for Instagram, TikTok, or even YouTube. Give customers a behind-the-scenes look, share your product’s story, or show creative uses—anything that will build a connection and invite them into your brand’s world.

• Invite Customer Participation: If you’re feeling adventurous, try hosting a live-streamed shopping event where customers can comment, ask questions, and make purchases in real-time. Platforms like Instagram Live or Facebook Live make it easy to go live, interact with customers, and create that Buy It Now excitement.

• Leverage Social Proof: Amazon’s show relies on real customer opinions to elevate products. Use testimonials, ratings, and reviews from your own customers to help build trust and showcase the value of your handmade products.

  
  

So, Will You Be Watching Buy It Now?

Amazon hopes this new reality series will encourage viewers to shop immediately, especially targeting younger audiences who crave entertainment with their shopping experience. Each episode features a QR code to guide viewers to the Buy It Now store, where they can instantly explore and purchase the showcased products.

If you’re curious about the future of online shopping, Buy It Now is a show to watch! Not only could it inspire new ways to market your handmade products, but it also hints at a growing trend in blending entertainment with commerce—a trend that might become even more accessible for smaller brands as it gains popularity.

So, will you be tuning in?

• Yes, I love this idea.

• Perhaps, I’m curious.

• No, hard pass.

  
  

As we enter the busiest shopping season, Amazon’s innovations remind us how important it is to stand out and create engaging, memorable experiences for our customers. Whether it’s through interactive guides, curated lists, or live content, there are many ways to get inspired and make this season your most successful one yet.