The future of TikTok is unclear as the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a law that could lead to the app being banned due to national security concerns starting this Sunday. Another aspect affected by this uncertainty is TikTok Shop.

Launched in the U.S. in 2023, TikTok Shop is the app’s e-commerce functionality that allows users to buy and sell items and services directly through the platform.

Retailers who rely on TikTok for sales are anxious about the potential economic effects, and consumers are concerned about the status of their deliveries if the app ceases operations.

In just its first year, TikTok Shop quickly became the fourth most favored social e-commerce platform in the U.S., with 8.2% of online shoppers utilizing it, according to Capital One Shopping Research. The same report indicates that American users spent about $7 million each day on the platform in the last months of 2023 alone.

Here’s what we know about the possible effects of a TikTok ban on TikTok Shop.

Will TikTok Shop Disappear If TikTok Is Banned?

The fate of TikTok Shop is still uncertain, and representatives from TikTok did not respond immediately to inquiries from YSL News regarding how a potential ban could affect TikTok Shop on Thursday.

What About TikTok Shop Orders That Are Still Pending?

For users who have placed orders with TikTok Shop and are waiting for processing or delivery, it is unclear how the ban might affect those orders as well.

Joseph Rowan, the host of “FAKD Podcast,” which delves into the counterfeit economy, advises those who have pending TikTok Shop orders to keep the sellers’ contact information handy. If the app shuts down on or after Sunday, users may still be able to reach out to the businesses from which they made their purchases.

How Will the Ban Impact Small Business Owners?

Aaron Schekorra, who runs Own Your Pride, an online store that offers LGBTQ+ merchandise, mentioned that about 40% of his sales come from TikTok Shop. In just October 2023, he generated over $50,000 in sales through the platform.

Schekorra optimistically believes TikTok will continue to operate and won’t face a ban, but admitted, “With each passing day, it feels less like I’m on solid ground.”

The owners of MNJ Sales, an online store specializing in slip-resistant beanies and durags, highlighted in a December TikTok post that 80% of their income comes from TikTok Shop.

“As a small business and a Black-owned enterprise, we’re going through very tough times right now,” one owner said in a video that has garnered two million views as of Thursday.

Bask and Lather Co., another Black-owned small business focused on hair care products, has also voiced concerns about the possible ban, stating they are attempting to maximize sales of their items on TikTok Shop.

“As a brand that has seen several products gain popularity on TikTok, a significant portion of our income relies on this platform. We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received over the years,” a representative from the business said in a December video. “However, if TikTok is ultimately banned, it could significantly impact us at Bask and Lather.”

Neither MNJ Sales nor Bask and Lather Co. provided immediate comments regarding the ban when approached by YSL News on Thursday.

Which Other Platforms Are Sellers and Consumers Considering?

In anticipation of the potential Sunday ban, TikTok Shop sellers are shifting their focus to alternative e-commerce platforms. Schekorra mentioned he has started listing products from Own Your Pride on Etsy, which is beginning to gain traction.

Shraysi Tandon, the CEO of Kidsy—a business specializing in pre-owned baby and children’s items—reported that since starting on TikTok Shop in November 2024, about 20% of their revenue comes from it.

As the ban approaches, Tandon is exploring additional marketing avenues, including YouTube, Pinterest, and Reddit, aiming for a collective launch across all three platforms.

Other e-commerce strategies, such as Google Shopping, as well as Facebook and Instagram Shops, are also available, but Tandon noted they “do not match the same level of viral growth, user engagement, and community connection that TikTok offers.”

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross.