What: Social network TikTok, after having forayed into social commerce, is adding new features such as product authentication.

Why it is important: By including new features they reinforce their central place in the younger generations’ lives and raise the bar higher for other more traditional retailers, unable to follow their price point strategy.

TikTok has partnered with luxury goods verification service Real Authentication to ensure the authenticity of used handbags sold on its U.S. platform, TikTok Shop. Merchants are required to get their handbags verified by Real Authentication, which uses a proprietary Smart Database scan technology to detect counterfeits. Once verified, sellers can list these bags on TikTok Shop, including the authenticity certificate. This move comes after the September launch of TikTok Shop in the U.S., aiming to boost buyer and seller confidence in the resale luxury market. Real Authentication also authenticates other items like clothing, jewelry, and shoes. This initiative follows similar steps by other major retailers, like Fashionphile and eBay, to offer verified luxury secondhand goods.

TikTok to offer authenticated handbags