Disclaimer: This Inside South Florida segment is sponsored WhatNot. All opinions and views are of the advertiser and does not reflect the same of WSFL-TV.
Back-to-school shopping is getting more expensive, with some parents planning to spend nearly $1,000 on related purchases. More than half of parents say this shopping season is more stressful than the holidays, according to recent reports.
Live shopping platforms are emerging as a convenient and more affordable way for families to tackle their lists without navigating crowded stores.
Anna De Souza, a tech journalist, lifestyle host and mom, is teaming up with Whatnot to highlight how the platform is helping families shop smarter this season.
"Whatnot is the largest live shopping platform in the US and Europe that really brings all the fun of shopping in person right to your phone," De Souza said. "I love that you can chat with sellers live. You can actually see in real time the true colors, texture, style, quality of items before you purchase them."
The platform allows shoppers to buy everything from sports cards and beauty products to fashion and fresh food, including, De Souza noted, live lobster purchased directly from a fisherman on his boat.
This summer, Whatnot surpassed 1 billion orders.
Fashion is Whatnot's largest category by order volume, with children's clothing among the most popular items. Trending right now are character backpacks featuring Shopkins, My Little Pony and Monster High, along with trusted brands like JanSport, Lululemon and Nike.
"What makes this experience really unique is that you can jump right into a sale that has exactly what you're looking for," De Souza said. "So maybe Nike sneakers or a JanSport backpack."
Live shopping also supports small businesses, and shoppers can choose from brand-new items with tags or pre-loved options. Many Whatnot auctions start at just $1, and shoppers can make requests during live shows for sellers to pull items in real time.
"Whether you are picking up those basics to account for that growth spurt or a trendy must have, families have so many price point options," De Souza said. "Because we all know that nothing says back to school quite like last year's pants fitting like capris."
Parents shopping for school uniforms, supplies, shoes, and sneakers can find sellers with live shows happening at any time.
To get started, shoppers can visit Whatnot.com or download the app.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.