Hold on to your wallet: Instagram launches in-app purchases

Image: Instagram

Instagram is the home of all things pretty: clothes retailers, shoe stores and makeup giants.

And now Instagram users will be able to buy these things without even exiting the app.

While retailers have previously been able to preview prices and embed links to online stores’ checkouts, an update announced this week will mean users will be able to make purchases without being redirected away from the app.

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Here’s how it works

When you tap to view a product from a retailer’s post, you can then hit “Checkout on Instagram” to choose from the various sizes, colours and variations before proceeding to payment without exiting Instagram.

Shoppers will need to enter their name, email, address and billing information the first time they check out.

This information is then saved for the next time you shop.

Shoppers will also receive Instagram notifications about the status of their purchase.

Who can I shop?

These are the brands currently signed up to the service.

Adidas @adidaswomen & @adidasoriginals
Anastasia Beverly Hills @anastasiabeverlyhills
Balmain @balmain
Burberry @burberry
ColourPop @colourpopcosmetics
Dior @dior
H&M @hm
Huda Beauty @hudabeautyshop
KKW @kkwbeauty
Kylie Cosmetics @kyliecosmetics
MAC Cosmetics @maccosmetics
Michael Kors @michaelkors
NARS @narsissist
Nike @niketraining & @nikewomen
NYX Cosmetics @nyxcosmetics
Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta
Ouai Hair @theouai
Outdoor Voices @outdoorvoices
Prada @prada
Revolve @revolve
Uniqlo @uniqlo
Warby Parker @warbyparker
Zara @zara

When does it begin?

Australian shoppers will need to wait a little while: the service is currently in closed beta for businesses and only available to people in the US for now.

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