November is almost over and we’re seeing the first of that true winter weather – stormy nights, frosty mornings, and drizzly days that go all the way to your bones.
Shopify store owners might take particular interest this time of year in particular because of the Cold Weather Effect – that is, the influence chillier temperatures have on customer shopping habits. It’s been studied that customers prefer online shopping to the effort of braving the outdoors when it’s cold out, and also start seeking out seasonal products like heating systems, blankets, and warm footwear.
With all of this in mind, here are a few key changes to Shopify from the last month which should come in handy when attracting those cold-weather customers:
Retail-first customer segments
Shopify has introduced new retail-first customer segments to help businesses reach local customers more effectively. These customer segments enable merchants to personalise the shopping experience and target customers based on their behaviours.
Customers near retail location and Customers who frequently purchased in-store in the last year which can be accessed from the templates link inside the Segments tab.
Learn more about Shopify Flow and marketing automations in Shopify.
Shopify Sidekick
Shopify has rolled out new AI-powered features such as the Shopify Sidekick, an AI assistant that aids in business optimisation by providing intelligent solutions and insights. The AI Image Editing feature allows for seamless product photo enhancements, ensuring a consistent and professional look across your store.
Marketing automation templates in the Flow app
You can now easily find and activate marketing automation templates created by Shopify and our partners through the Flow app, right alongside all the other Flow templates.
The templates and analytics tied to these workflows will still be available in the Marketing > Automations section, so you can manage them just as before.
If you’re not using Flows to your advantage just yet, now is the time.
Shopify Tax has expanded to the EU and UK
We know managing VAT can be tricky, so we’re excited to hear that Shopify is making it simpler. Shopify Tax is introducing some great new features in your admin that will help you collect the right amounts at the right time and keep track of where your business is liable.
If you’re using registration-based taxes, these updates will be automatically available to you in the coming weeks. To find out more about these new features, head over to the Shopify Help Centre.
App of the month
Rebuy Engine
Rebuy is an eCommerce personalisation platform designed to enhance the customer journey by providing AI-driven, tailored shopping experiences. It serves over 10,000 brands and has generated more than $1 billion in revenue through its comprehensive suite of omnichannel personalisation solutions. Rebuy’s platform includes intelligent personalisation using historical shopping data, AI-powered product recommendations to boost average order value, and automated retention strategies with post-purchase follow-up emails.
We have been using it on a few of our projects and have found it to be a great asset, so if you would like help setting it up we’re official Rebuy Partners.
Launch of the Month
Bourke Sports
This month, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new websites, bourkesports.ie and bourkesports.com. This marks a significant digital milestone for Bourke Sports, making their premium sportswear and equipment more accessible to customers both locally and internationally.
These new platforms have been designed to provide a seamless and personalised shopping experience, combining intuitive navigation with a modern design that showcases our full range of products.
It’s packed with useful features for both store owners and shoppers, including:
- User-friendly interface: Easy-to-navigate layout, ensuring a smooth shopping experience.
- Personalised recommendations: Product suggestions based on browsing history and preferences.
- Secure payment options: Multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, and more.
- Mobile responsiveness: Optimised for mobile shopping, providing a seamless experience across devices.
- Fast checkout process: Quick and easy checkout with minimal steps for a hassle-free purchase.
- Product filtering: Filter products by category, size, colour, price, and more to easily find what you need.
- Order tracking: Customers can track their orders from purchase to delivery with ease.
- Customer accounts: Option to create an account for quicker future checkouts and order history access.
- Integrated social proof: Customer reviews and ratings for products to help guide your buying decisions.
If you need some help with your Shopify store, you can get in contact with us via our website.
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