Shopify Entrepreneur Weekly

Hey there! So glad to have you here for this week's newsletter!

Here’s what’s new:

• The latest updates from Shopify and the world of ecommerce.

• Fun ways to use ChatGPT for creating amazing images.

• Shopify’s must-see spring trends.

• A brand-new premium Shopify theme for extraordinary brands.

• A cozy photo of the week featuring a product you didn’t know you needed—until now!

• Let’s dive in!

Apps of the week spotlight

Meet Build-a-Box, Recurpay’s newest feature built for the next generation of ecommerce subscriptions.

With Build-a-Box, your customers can mix and match products, set quantities, and customize delivery schedules - giving them full control over their subscription experience.

Merchants offering Build-a-Box alongside regular subscriptions see an average of 21% more revenue - thanks to higher engagement, increased order value, and reduced churn.

For brands, it’s a chance to level up retention and personalization. For developers, it’s a powerful, scalable feature with seamless integration into Shopify, Klaviyo, Stripe, and more.

Explore Build-a-Box and start using it today 

Ecommerce news and updates

Updates to the Shopify POS system. These updates aim to enhance the customer display experience and improve usability on POS Terminal and the Android Customer View app, with more visual customizations coming soon:

• Persistent cart summary: The cart summary now remains visible at the bottom of the screen across the Cart and Tips screens, helping customers make purchase decisions.

• Improved button design: New styles for Tips and Receipts buttons enhance selection experience.

• Optimized display: Text size and spacing are now better aligned for improved readability.

The CFPB has withdrawn its May 2024 rule that would have imposed stricter regulations on BNPL providers, including charge dispute rights, refunds, and mandatory billing statements. This reversal, following pushback and lawsuits from BNPL providers, means they no longer need to adjust operations for compliance. For Shopify merchants, this ensures uninterrupted access to BNPL services like Klarna and Affirm, which boost conversions and average order values.

TikTok Shop is expanding to France, Germany, and Italy, continuing its European growth while facing potential challenges in the US due to ByteDance's ownership. The platform has partnered with major sellers like Carrefour, AboutYou, and Cosnova in its new markets.

Shopify has acquired AI-powered search startup Vantage Discovery as part of its effort to enhance its AI capabilities. This follows the appointment of Mikhail Parakhin, a machine learning expert and former Microsoft executive, as CTO in 2024. Shopify's CFO revealed the company made six additional "tuck-in" AI acquisitions in 2024 to strengthen its talent pool. Recently, Shopify also introduced a new AI feature that helps merchants design custom storefronts using prompts.

Overheard on the socials

How to create amazing visuals with ChatGPT? Here’s how AI is transforming creative workflows!

• Tobi Lutke shared some incredible prompts to create infographics with 9 panels of product photography—perfect for planning and generating product shots. For example, you can turn a flat lay product picture into a “ghost mannequin product shot” effortlessly.

• Another cool use? Creating glowing product visuals, like a glowing bottle or a dreamlike box.

This changes how we approach creativity. Instead of committing to one expensive direction, we can explore dozens of concepts in minutes—without spending a dollar on production.

For comparison, professional product shoots typically cost: 💸 Thousands of dollars ⏳ 1-2 weeks of planning 📷 Multiple revisions, permits, and setup.

Now, with AI, you can plan an entire product photo gallery in no time. The future of visual design is here!

Shopify’s Trends

Shopify’s March trends are in! U.S. shoppers are gearing up for spring.

Here’s what’s hot:

🌱 Home & garden projects: Sprinklers (+388%), pergolas (+242%), plant bulbs (+131%)
🔥 Grilling season: Grill carts (+66%), scrapers (+60%), pizza ovens (+45%)
👕 Wardrobe refresh: Chino shorts (+302%), tank tops (+300%), bucket hats (+132%)
🚴 Outdoor fun: Kick scooters (+437%), pop-up tents (+273%), picnic blankets (+72%)

Merchants, what’s trending in your store? 🍃

New theme alert

Etheryx by OpenThinking – $290 USD 💵

Etheryx is a versatile and performance-driven theme designed to showcase extraordinary brands. With built-in support for 20+ languages, it’s perfect for businesses looking to dominate global markets. Featuring adaptable designs and powerful tools, Etheryx helps turn browsers into buyers while scaling effortlessly from boutique shops to global enterprises. Every detail is optimized for speed and seamless performance, ensuring your brand makes a lasting impression.

Photo of the week

A Japanese brand has come up with the ultimate cozy invention—a sweater-pillow that basically turns you into a super-soft pouf. With this outfit, you can lounge anywhere in total comfort, and they even say it’s great for a good night’s sleep. Perfect for those end-of-the-week vibes when all you want to do is relax 😮‍💨

That's it for today!

✨ If a friend shared this Newsletter with you, make sure to subscribe here, to stay in the loop.

📮 Got feedback or something cool to share? Just hit reply to this email!