Shopify is heavily investing in artificial intelligence, with AI tools now integrated across its merchant platform. The commerce platform, powering retailers like Barnes & Noble, Claire's, and e.l.f. Beauty, has rolled out automated tools for pricing assistance, product search, and cart building.
According to CFO Jeff Hoffmeister, AI-assisted shoppers are spending more, while AI-driven orders and traffic to Shopify stores tripled year-over-year in the latest quarter. A key feature makes products readable to AI agents for better consumer recommendations. Another AI tool acts as a business consultant, advising merchants on inventory and pricing.
Furthermore, Shopify allows AI agents to complete purchases, highlighted by a partnership with Meta Platforms enabling the Muse agent to checkout on Shopify stores. While agentic commerce is still nascent, Hoffmeister notes early positive trends in specification-heavy goods and niche items outside the top 100 categories. Retailers are updating product descriptions to be AI-friendly.
Hoffmeister predicts an "inflection point" for agentic commerce but acknowledges the pace of change remains uncertain. Separately, the Institute for Supply Management releases its September Services PMI, and various earnings reports are scheduled throughout the week, including Levi Strauss. Additionally, Asher Rapkin of Collective Horology recounts a frustrating nine-month delay receiving a $164,000 FedEx refund, highlighting ongoing friction in B2B payment processes.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing