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☆ Shopify launched a new AI-powered assistant to help merchants as its support staff remains under a 'Code Yellow' for 'deteriorated' performance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Shopify beta-launched an AI assistant for its help center. Shopify launched a beta version of an AI-powered assistant for its help center, the webpage where merchants can go to get answers to questions about running their business. In June, Shopify began asking some support staff to test a translation bot powered by OpenAI's technology. Its support staff already had the ability to use AI-generated template email responses to merchant inquiries. The bot can recommend products sold by Shopify merchants based on shoppers' answers to a series of questions.

Persons: Shopify, chatbot, Tobi Lütke's, Harley Finkelstein, Lütke Organizations: Shopify, Help

☆ Exclusive: AppHub, a Shopify app acquirer, raises $95 million to build and buy apps as the developer ecosystem matures
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AppHub builds and acquires apps that are geared towards e-commerce merchants. AppHub, an e-commerce enablement platform launched in 2021, has raised $95 million from growth-equity firm PSG to continue building up its portfolio of apps as changes come to Shopify's app ecosystem. More than 150,000 merchants are now using AppHub apps, CEO and cofounder Kris Eng told Insider. Deciding whether to build or acquireAppHub decides whether to acquire an app or build a solution of its own on a case-by-case basis. The new funding from PSG will allow AppHub to continue to invest in its existing portfolio and look for other apps to acquire.

Persons: AppHub, Kris Eng, Eng, Tobi Lütke, Harley Finkelstein, AppHub Shopify, they've, Matt Tennenhouse, Tennenhouse, we'll, Matt Stone Organizations: PSG, Capital Partners

☆ Shopify asks its customer-support staff to test new AI tools weeks after laying off thousands of employees
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Shopify is asking some of its customer-support team members to test a translation bot powered by OpenAI's technology, weeks after a round of layoffs in May. This move is the latest in a series of AI experiments in the support division, which troubleshoots issues for Shopify's millions of merchants. The bot can recommend products sold by Shopify merchants based on shoppers' answers to a series of questions. It also recently launched a tool called Shopify Magic, which uses generative AI to write product descriptions. Shopify's support team underwent several changes this year.

Persons: Shopify, Jen Bebb, Shopify's, Harley Finkelstein, Tobi Lütke, Clovis Locations: Shopify

☆ Shopify's president on why he prefers paying micro-influencers to grow his own side hustle
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

But Finklestein also had another side business on his mind last week in an interview that had been pre-taped for CNBC's Small Business Playbook event, the loose-leaf tea side hustle, Firebelly Tea, that he co-founded as an independent entrepreneur. Finkelstein said it will be cheaper and also likely a more effective way to grow a new business. The creator economy is changing the way business success is generated, Finkelstein said, with the old "Field of Dreams" model — "If you build, it, they will come" — no longer enough. But that does not mean every small business owner with a great product should be chasing MrBeast or Emma Chamberlain for product endorsements. He cited the TikTok hashtag "TikTok Made Me Buy It" which has 50 billion impressions.

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Joe Biden has tried ChatGPT, Silicon Valley goes sober, and leaked Shopify audio
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

And Silicon Valley is catching on, too. My colleague Samantha Stokes did a deep dive into the growing trend of techies avoiding alcohol. Silicon Valley goes sober. My colleague Samantha Stokes examined this growing trend in Silicon Valley and gives some insight into the drying industry. In other news:Screenshot of Hot Chat 30002.

May 4 (Reuters) - Shopify Inc (SHOP.TO), posted a surprise first-quarter profit on Thursday and said it would lay off 20% of its workforce in a second round of mass job cuts, sending its U.S.-listed shares more than 18.7% higher in early trade. The layoffs announced on Thursday are expected to result in a severance charge of between $140 million and $150 million in the second quarter. "Combined with the reduction in force, management is showing its commitment to profitability which investors had been concerned about," Luria added. Adjusted profit was 1 cent per share, compared with expectations for a 4 cent loss. Reporting by Chavi Mehta and Akshita Toshniwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Shopify divests logistics arm to Flexport in strategic reversal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Krystal Hu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 4 (Reuters) - Shopify Inc (SHOP.TO) has divested the logistics arm it built over the past few years, in a reversal of its strategy of aggressively investing in fulfillment networks, the Canadian e-commerce platform said on Thursday. Flexport was last valued at $8 billion in a $935 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz and MSD Partners in February 2022. The move to expand into logistics services was part of Shopify's ambition to support merchants selling on its platform with one-stop service. Shopify President Harley Finkelstein said the shift in strategy was a result of prioritizing product acceleration. San Francisco-based Flexport will expand into fulfillment and last-mile delivery through the deal as the official logistics partner for merchants on Shopify.

☆ Shopify offloads logistics business to Flexport
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shopify is selling its logistics unit to supply chain technology company Flexport, the companies announced Thursday. The sale marks a reversal for Shopify, which had spent years building out its own logistics and order-fulfillment operations. Shopify and Flexport are deepening their alliance as Shopify seeks to compete with e-commerce rivals such as Amazon and Walmart . Clark said in an interview that the acquisition will allow Flexport to scale the shipping capabilities it can offer for Shopify merchants, and other online businesses. Shopify will also retain its Shopify Fulfillment Network app where merchants manage their logistics process.

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Uber wants to predict your habits, Apple and Google team up, and Lebron James eyes Complex Networks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

And minting it could be a solution to avert a major economic catastrophe (here's an explanation of the looming disaster, by the way). This average-looking coin could prevent job losses, steep cuts to retirement savings, and other major financial blows. Shopify employees and experts brace for shakeup. Multiple sources told Insider that his company, SpringHill Co., has internally discussed offering around $100 million to buy Complex from Buzzfeed. Google tells employees to limit publishing AI research.

☆ Shopify president says he has never 'felt more sure about the future of this company' in leaked internal audio shared after company conducts layoffs and sells its logistics business
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In a two-minute video shared with Shopify employees Thursday morning, company president Harley Finkelstein reiterated his belief that the e-commerce firm is well-positioned for the future. In his video message to employees, Finkelstein said that difficult times are what define "the character of a company." "Making a series of popular decisions makes a popular company," he said. 6 River Systems, a warehouse automation and robotics company Shopify purchased in 2019 for $450 million, is being sold to the UK grocery firm Ocado for an undisclosed sum. Making a series of popular decisions makes a popular company.

☆ Shopify CEO Harley Finkelstein goes one-on-one with Jim Cramer after announcing massive layoff
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Shopify CEO Harley Finkelstein goes one-on-one with Jim Cramer after announcing massive layoffShopify CEO Harley Finkelstein joins 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer after announcing Shopify will layoff 20% of its staff and spin off its logistics business to Flexport.

☆ Shopify tried to challenge Amazon in logistics. It never came within 100 miles. Was it all a waste?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Shopify is selling most of its logistics business to freight unicorn Flexport in an all stock deal. Though Shopify's logistics journey began in 2019 as Shopify Fulfillment Network, the current iteration is less than a year old, and investors had become wary of the level of investment that getting the outfit into competitive shape would take. The acquisition was previously considered key to Shopify's fulfillment ambitions, and its team has been involved in the company's efforts to develop fulfillment software. Derek Lossing, an Amazon Logistics alum-turned investment advisor with Cirrus Global Advisors, said an acquisition-driven strategy may have been the right course — especially when the alternative involved contracting with legacy logistics players, which can take months. To some, the question of whether Shopify's layover into logistics was a waste of talent, time, and resources, can't be answered until Flexport takes hold and Clark flexes the muscles he gained building Amazon Logistics.

☆ Shopify insiders and analysts are bracing for a strategy shift in the company's logistics business
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Madeline Stone | Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Insiders and analysts expect a major shakeup to Shopify's logistics strategy. "The fulfillment investment is sort of the biggest anchor that's keeping the business from being more profitable." That may be a welcome change for investors, who have been voicing increasing concern with the level of investment Shopify had planned. And Shopify Logistics CEO Aaron Brown told Insider in February that 6 River Systems' warehouse automation would be "the machine in the background making everything work." Weiss then asked if Shopify Logistics is intended to turn a profit.

☆ Amazon looms over Shopify: Analysts worry that Buy with Prime will further eat into Shopify's profits
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Analysts are increasingly negative on the impact Amazon's Buy with Prime could have on Shopify. Analysts are increasingly worried about the impact that Amazon's Buy with Prime feature could have on Shopify's bottom line. Buy with Prime allows sellers to offer Prime benefits — like fast shipping, free delivery, and free returns — on websites outside of Amazon.com. If Amazon does need Shopify's help, Shopify could theoretically insist that Amazon provide insight about Shopify merchants' Buy with Prime transactions and separate fees from Amazon, the analysts said. "That's why we're working with Amazon to build a direct integration for Shopify merchants using Buy with Prime."

☆ Shopify sinks as investors worry over big spending in weak economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Nivedita Balu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pandemic-related disruptions propelled the company to briefly become Canada's most valuable firm before online demand eased as economies reopened and forced it to launch new products, boost investments and focus on social media integration. Such investments and Wednesday's warning on macro-challenges have spooked investors concerned about profitability. "Our outlook reflects the prudence that we think is necessary in this macro environment," company president Harley Finkelstein said in an interview on Thursday. "The lack of annual guidance suggests limited near-term visibility to the sustainability of consumer spending," he said. Some analysts also flagged Shopify's significant exposure to categories such as apparel, which could take a hit from softening consumer spending.

☆ 2022 a strong year for Shopify, says president Harley Finkelstein
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email2022 a strong year for Shopify, says president Harley FinkelsteinHarley Finkelstein, Shopify president, joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss the company's quarterly results, thoughts on recession fears and employee headcount in 2023.

☆ Shopify is in talks to add Amazon's Buy with Prime service. Analysts say this is a 'Trojan horse' that could cut into Shopify's core revenue.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But many analysts don't think that Buy with Prime is a good thing for Shopify. Shopify executives continued to strike an optimistic tone about Amazon's Buy with Prime feature during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. Buy with Prime allows sellers to offer Prime benefits — like fast shipping, free delivery, and free returns — on websites outside of Amazon.com. Shopify merchants that try to install it get a pop-up informing them that the checkout feature violates the company's terms of service and could leave their store vulnerable to fraud. Many Shopify merchants choose not to sell their products on Amazon because they want to maintain control over their customer data.

☆ In leaked memo, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke announces CTO departure and other engineering shakeups
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Shopify CTO Allan Leinwand is leaving the company, CEO Tobi Lütke announced on Friday. Shopify CTO Allan Leinwand is set to depart the Canadian e-commerce company after 15 months in the role. In addition to his job as CEO, Lütke has also performed the tasks of chief product officer since Craig Miller departed Shopify in September 2020. Today Allan Leinwand shared that he will be saying goodbye to Shopify in the coming weeks. With Allan's departure, I'm retiring the CTO jersey.

☆ Shopify launches new subscription product to lure big retail clients
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 3 (Reuters) - Shopify Technologies Inc on Tuesday launched a new service aimed at big retailers that will allow them to select tools and services the Canadian tech giant offers and integrate it with their own online platform. Shopify, which helps businesses set up their online store and website for a subscription fee, will allow retailers to pick and choose components, such as checkout and other back-office services, for their existing online businesses. The pricing for the service, called Commerce Components, will depend on the retailer's customization and components they choose to use. Currently, subscription for Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 a month and basic costs of $29. Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Black Friday online sales are estimated to hit a record-breaking $9 billion — and Walmart was the most searched retailer this year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

This year, shoppers searched Walmart the most for online Black Friday deals. Online sales during Black Friday are expected to set a new record of $9 billion. Online sales during Black Friday are expected to set a new record of $9 billion, Insider previously reported. Harley Finkelstein, president of ecommerce platform Shopify, told CNN that 10% of all US ecommerce is serviced by the company. According to Shopify data, more than 7.9 million unique shoppers purchased from a Shopify retailer as of 12:00 pm on Friday.

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with Shopify President Harley Finkelstein
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with Shopify President Harley FinkelsteinShopify President Harley Finkelstein joins 'TechCheck' to discuss e-commerce consumer spending trends, how inflationary pressures are influencing consumer spending patterns, and forecast about the future of e-commerce in general.

☆ Consumers are being more intentional with their purchases, says Shopify Pres. Harley Finkelstein
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailConsumers are being more intentional with their purchases, says Shopify Pres. Harley FinkelsteinShopify President Harley Finkelstein joins 'TechCheck' to discuss e-commerce consumer spending trends, how inflationary pressures are influencing consumer spending patterns and forecast the future of e-commerce in general.

☆ Retailers Turning to Specific-Day Delivery Over Speediest Shipping
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Liz Young | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Retailers this holiday season are focusing on delivering packages to customers on specific dates, rather than competing on speed of delivery. With inflation-conscious consumers now dialing back their online shopping, many retailers are focused on restraining the high costs of fulfillment and last-mile delivery. In 2019, the e-commerce giant also gave its Prime members the option to pick a specific delivery date. The feature refines the retailer’s previous three- to five-day shipping window, said Shivi Shankaran, the company’s chief operating officer. “Sometimes they want it really, really fast, or they want it really, really scheduled,” Mr. Gorlin said.

☆ Shopify's startup investments this year include millions into companies that focus on NFTs, Web3 apps, customer-engagement, and financial services
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

In its press release announcing the new funding, Wati said the investment was Shopify's first in a startup operating in Southeast Asia. The goal is to make Thirdweb's tools available to Shopify merchants who want to bring Web3 products and experiences to their online stores. Shopify recently participated in Gorgias' $30 million Series C round, which valued the startup at $710 million. According to the company, merchants using its technology report a 96% increase in sales on average. Flexport announced it had received a strategic investment from Shopify as part of its $935 million Series E on February 7.

☆ Shopify's new C-suite: After a year of high turnover, the new leaders at Shopify include a CFO poached from Morgan Stanley and a new HR lead who is working to overhaul the e-commerce company's perform
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Here are the people leading the e-commerce company through its next phase. Leinwand was previously senior vice president of engineering at Slack, and before that he was CTO at ServiceNow. Tia Silas, chief human resources officerTia Silas, Shopify's chief talent officer. John Asante, chief information-security officerJohn Asante, Shopify's chief information-security officer. Bobby Morrison, chief revenue officerMorrison joined Shopify as chief revenue officer — a new role for Shopify, reporting to the COO — in August.

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