TikTok app (symbol image): Channel to consumers
Photo: Anjum Naveed / APThe US supermarket chain Walmart wants to take over the Chinese short video platform TikTok together with the software company Microsoft. Part of the plan is to use the app as a platform for online sales, as the retail chain announced to the broadcaster CNBC and the financial service Bloomberg. There is no confirmation of the plan from the software company.
The integration of e-commerce and advertising at TikTok is advantageous for users and video authors, according to Walmart. The company believes that a partnership with Microsoft around TikTok in the US could give the group an important way to reach consumers and also build a platform for other retailers. Walmart competes in online retail in the USA with the industry leader Amazon.
Microsoft has been negotiating for a long time
It was only in the morning that it became known that TikTok boss Kevin Mayer was throwing out after just a few months. The reason is the political pressure from the White House on him and his company. The video app belongs to the Chinese Bytedance group.
US President Donald Trump had banned American companies and citizens from doing business with TikTok, the ban is due to take effect in mid-September. He justified this with security concerns because Chinese authorities could gain access to data from Americans via the app. TikTok and Bytedance rejected the allegation and have therefore filed a lawsuit.
Without a sale, TikTok threatens to end in the USA. Microsoft is currently negotiating the purchase of TikTok's business in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The software company Oracle is said to be interested in TikTok together with several prominent start-up investors.
Walmart's interest in TikTok's US business caused the trading company's shares to soar. According to the report, the shares expanded their profits to 5.5 percent and thus became the front-runner in the Dow Jones Industrial. Dealers spoke before a surprise move that corresponds to the retailer's desire to become a technology leader.
Icon: The mirrorapr / Reuters / dpa / AP
