Shopify Winter Edition Unveils 150+ ‘Boring’ Updates 🥱.

At first glance, releasing 150+ updates might seem like Shopify is playing catch-up. But hey, Google made over 4,000 updates to Search in 2022 🤯—so maybe it’s just the sign of a platform constantly leveling up!

Heya, and welcome to another issue of The Ecom Press 🗞️!

Today’s a special one as we dive into Shopify’s latest updates, humorously dubbed ‘The Boring Edition.’ This isn’t about flashy new features—it’s about refining what’s already there, from smoothing rough edges to improving performance and ensuring every tool works seamlessly.

As Glen Coates, Shopify’s VP of Product, put it: “If you’re looking for a bunch of new stuff, this might sound kind of boring, right?” 🤔

Well, ready for the updates that are anything but boring? Let’s dive in 🤿!

In a rush? Here’s the juice🤭:

🥱 Shopify Winter Edition unveils 150 ‘boring’ updates.

📺 Shopify’s “Boring TV” isn’t so boring after all.

⚡️Worthy Mentions

🥱 Shopify Winter Edition unveils 150 ‘boring’ updates.

Shopify has just rolled out its Winter ’25 Edition, dubbed The Boring Edition. But don’t let the name fool you—there’s nothing dull about this release. With over 150 updates focused on enhancing existing features, the platform is now faster, more intuitive, and better connected than ever.

The emphasis this time isn’t on flashy new tools, but on refining what’s already there. From smarter search capabilities to improved B2B functionality, Shopify has been busy smoothing rough edges, dialing in performance, and ensuring that everything works together seamlessly. 

These updates are designed to save you time, boost conversions, and deliver a better experience for both merchants and customers. So, without further ado, here are our top picks from this platform-wide tune-up.

💻 Online Updates

Shopify rebranded its online selling tools to make life easier for merchants—here are some of our favorites.

• Configure combined listings for search: Take charge of search results! Decide if customers see parent or child products, or both with Shopify’s updated Search & Discovery app.

• Oversell protection for subscription renewals: No more awkward “out of stock” moments. Subscriptions now pause renewals if inventory runs low and alert you to fix things fast.

• Buy X Get Y works with subscriptions: Want to throw in a freebie? Now you can offer “Buy X, Get Y” deals for subscriptions—hello, free mug with a coffee plan!

Why it matters: Shopify’s updates help customers find products faster, keep subscriptions smooth, and make deals more tempting—ultimately driving better sales and happier shoppers 🚀. 

🛍️ Retail Updates

Shopify’s making in-person selling smoother than ever—here’s what’s new.

• Offline payments: No Wi-Fi? No worries. Shopify POS now lets you accept card payments offline and processes them once you’re back online. Just reconnect within 24 hours to minimize risks like failed payments.

• Split screen search: Speed up checkout with split-screen search on tablets. Search results now appear next to the cart, so you can add products with a tap—no more switching tabs or scrolling.

• Retail customer segments: Target local shoppers with precision. Use location-based filters to create campaigns for nearby customers or reward those with in-store order history.

Why it matters: From handling outages to faster checkouts and personalized targeting, these updates make retail more efficient and profitable for merchants 🛒.

🛒 Checkout Updates

Shopify prioritized faster and more flexible checkout processes—here are our top faves.

• Checkout Blocks on more pages: Customize thank you and order status pages easily—no coding required. Rearrange elements, add reviews or gift messages, and streamline delivery options to create a branded, friction-free checkout experience.

• Faster cart and checkout: Cart loading speeds are now up to 50% faster, ensuring a seamless shopping journey. Shopify’s one-page checkout simplifies purchases, reducing frustration and increasing sales.

• Extended cart expiration: Carts now last longer, giving customers more time to return and complete their purchases. Fewer abandoned carts, higher conversions, and even more opportunities to upsell.

Why it matters: Checkout is where sales are won or lost. These updates mean fewer drop-offs, more return customers, and a smoother path to conversion.

🚀 Marketing Updates

Shopify upgraded its marketing tools to help you work smarter and reach further—here are some of our top picks.

• Customer account extensions: Add features like returns, subscriptions, and personalized offers to customer accounts with apps, creating a seamless, self-service experience.

• Email image editing: Edit email images directly in Shopify Email. Crop, resize, and tweak visuals without leaving your admin, keeping your campaigns polished and on-brand.

• Google Shopping ads: Expand your Shop Campaigns to Google Shopping in one click (U.S. and Canada only), boosting product visibility and reaching more shoppers effortlessly.

Why it matters: These updates give you tools to streamline workflows, personalize customer experiences, and amplify your reach for maximum impact!

📦 Wholesale Updates

Shopify refined wholesale operations for B2B merchants with new tools to streamline orders, accounts, and workflows. Here’s what’s new:

• Better draft orders for B2B: Lock prices, offer bundles, and for Plus users, collect deposits or charge vaulted cards to simplify large wholesale orders.

• Customize B2B customer accounts: Add quoting workflows, downloadable invoices, and other features to B2B accounts using apps for a self-serve experience buyers demand.

• Automate new account setup: Assign catalogs, permissions, and sales staff automatically with Shopify Flow—exclusively for Plus merchants.

Why it matters: Wholesale just got easier as these updates save time, reduce manual work, and give B2B buyers an incredible shopping experience. 

Let’s go for a commercial break!

📺 Shopify’s “Boring TV” isn’t so boring after all.

Shopify spiced up its Winter '25 Edition release with something unexpectedly fun—Boring TV. Yes, you heard that right. It's a virtual TV with over 150 "channels," each dedicated to one of the updates. Don't be fooled by the name, though; there's nothing boring about it!

You see, each channel features a snappy AI-generated video that explains an update in just a few seconds. You can flip through channels, rewind, fast-forward, or even jump straight to a specific update. It’s part entertainment, part education, and entirely binge-worthy for Shopify enthusiasts.

With quirky animations and playful Easter eggs hidden in the channels, Boring TV turns what could’ve been a dull features rundown into an engaging showcase. Because let’s face it—this might just be the most entertaining way to learn about ecommerce updates!

 ​🌎 Global Updates

With recent updates, merchants can now serve a global audience better. Check out a few below:

• Natural search in more languages: Semantic Search now supports intuitive, everyday-language searches, helping customers find products more easily—available on Shopify, Advanced, and Plus plans.

• Increased shipping insurance: Managed Markets shipping labels now include up to $200 in insurance for free, with optional coverage up to $5,000 for eligible plans.

• Duties included in prices: Merchants can now include international duties in product prices, reducing surprises at checkout and enhancing transparency for global shoppers.

Why it matters: Intuitive search improves customer satisfaction while shipping insurance offers peace of mind. Including duties in prices simplifies international shopping and fosters trust while reducing cart abandonment.

🚚 Shipping Updates

Shopify’s shipping and fulfillment upgrades simplify logistics and save you money. Here’s the scoop:

• Unified fulfillment logic: Shopify now applies your order routing and fulfillment settings across all order types, from subscriptions to imported orders, preventing overselling and ensuring smooth delivery processes.

• Ship to store now available: Let customers buy online and pick up their order at their preferred store, even if it’s out of stock locally. Shopify will transfer inventory from the closest location to meet demand.

• Better UPS rates for small items: Smaller packages now enjoy bigger discounts with UPS® Ground and Ground Saver. Live rates make purchasing shipping labels faster and more accurate.

Why it matters: These updates save time, minimize errors, and cut costs, improving efficiency for merchants and convenience for customers.

🤖 Operations Updates

An AI assistant to help you run your business smarter? Tap in, and let’s check out what’s new:

• Sidekick rolling out: Sidekick, an AI-powered assistant, is now live globally in English. It helps merchants tackle tasks, generate ideas, and improve stores with personalized suggestions—all with your approval before making changes.

• Custom queries for analytics: Dive deeper into your data using ShopifyQL for real-time, custom reporting. You can tailor reports to track sales, inventory, or any metric unique to your business.

• New analytics rolling out: Get pre-built commerce reports, explore data with custom metrics, and monitor store performance in real time with drag-and-drop dashboards.

Why it matters: It’s all about making fast, data-driven decisions with ease. And these updates are up to the task, offering better insights and streamlining operations.

 💰 Finance Updates

Managing finances on Shopify just got a whole lot simpler—here are the highlights:

• Unified finance everywhere: Access all your business’s finances from one streamlined dashboard, available in both the admin and Shopify app.

• Shopify Tax automated filing: Automate sales tax preparation, filing, and remittance in the U.S. Save time, stay compliant, and avoid late penalties with this hassle-free solution.

• More ways to pay with Shopify Credit: Pay statements in full within a month to skip fees or spread payments over 10 months from daily sales for added flexibility (U.S. only).

Why it matters: These updates simplify financial management, helping merchants stay focused on growth while ensuring compliance and providing flexible payment options.

Phew! Quite some updates, yeah? But that’s not all…🙃

I stumbled on what I'm about to show you, and trust me, I had a good laugh 😅—you're certainly not ready for it. It's not an update, but I guess it counts for something 🤭. 

On the Shopify Editions Winter ’25 webpage, hover your cursor on each letter of the word “Boring” at the top left of the page. You’d be amazed! You can also see how long the ‘the voice’ makes the sounds of each letter on a single breath 😂.

I’m still trying to figure out why, but I believe it's quirky enough to announce “The Boring Edition.” 😏

⚡️Worthy Mentions

On the other side of town, here’s what’s happening on the streets…

• Amazon launches Amazon Autos for shoppers to buy Hyundai cars online. 

• Instagram announces ‘Trial Reels’ for brands and creators to sample audience.

• Google Ads currently testing AI-generated reports in beta. 

• FTC sues Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits over illegal pricing.

• KITH rolls out a Grinch apparel collection in preparation for the holidays.

Wrapping up…

Can there ever be too many updates 🧐? While 150 might seem like a stretch, it’s these small, creative touches that remind us why Shopify remains a leader in ecommerce.

For merchants, it’s not just about the volume—it’s about leveraging the platform to boost efficiency, customer engagement, and sales 🚀 .

Oh, and Boring TV—what did you think of the voice? Quirky, right 😅?

Until next time, stay tuned, stay curious, and don't forget to hit that subscribe button if you haven't already 💥!