• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, November 1, 2016

Expanding its ecommerce ambitions, Instagram plans to debut some new shopping tools next week.  The coming changes should make it easier for users learn more about products without leaving the posts in which they found them.

Instagram received help testing the forthcoming tools with a number of retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, BaubleBar, Chubbies, Coach, Hollister, J.Crew, JackThreads, kate spade new york, Levi’s Brand, Lulus, Macy’s, Michael Kors, MVMT Watches, Target, Tory Burch, Warby Parker, and Shopbop.

Among other findings, Instagram learned the vast majority of purchases take a day or longer -- with only 21% of purchases made within a day. That inspired the Facebook unit to offer users more steps along the typical path to purchase.

New product posts will have a “tap to view” icon at the bottom left of a photo. When tapped, a tag will appear on various products in the post, which will showcase up to five products and their prices. Once a tag is selected, a new detailed view of the product will open. This functionality is designed to present shoppers with relevant product information.

If and when users tap the “Shop Now” link from the product details view, only then will they will be directed to that product on the brands’ Web site.

More broadly, Instagram executives say the changes have everything to do with mobile, and the way it is turning the retail business on its head.

Today, more than 84% of domestic smartphone users browse, research or compare products with a mobile Web browser or mobile app, according to eMarketer. Rather than a finished product, Instagram plans to continuing learning from user behavior after the new tools debut, next week.