Shopify Winter 2026 Edition (Renaissance): Features, Changes & Impact

Shopify Editions are Shopify’s twice-yearly releases that bring together major platform updates in one place. The Winter 2026 Edition, known as the Renaissance Edition, is one of Shopify’s most ambitious updates to date, featuring over 150 improvements across the entire ecosystem.

This edition focuses heavily on AI-powered commerce, automation, omnichannel selling, and operational simplicity. In this blog, we will explore what this edition includes, how it differs from previous releases, its biggest highlights, and what merchants and developers should do to fully benefit from these updates.

What is Shopify’s Winter ’26 Edition?

Shopify’s Winter 2026 Edition: The Renaissance Edition is a comprehensive update rolling out between late 2025 and early 2026. Instead of adding just a few new features, Shopify uses Editions to release bundled improvements across online stores, POS retail, checkout, marketing, operations, B2B, finance, shipping, and developer tools.

The Renaissance Edition reflects Shopify’s vision of the future of commerce, where AI doesn’t just assist merchants but actively performs tasks, predicts outcomes, and opens new sales channels.

Most updates are free and built into Shopify, reducing dependency on third-party apps. However, select advanced tools, especially in AI, B2B, and POS, may require Shopify Plus or region-specific availability.

What Changed As Compared to Previous Shopify Editions?

What is the Main focus of Shopify’s Winter ’26 Edition?

The Renaissance Edition revolves around six core priorities:

1) AI-first commerce experiences

2) Unified online and offline retail

3) Smarter customer targeting and marketing

4) Faster, personalized checkout experiences

5) Operational efficiency through automation

6) Advanced developer flexibility and performance

Together, these priorities aim to reduce complexity, improve buyer experiences, and increase merchant profitability.

What are the Main Highlights of Shopify’s Renaissance Edition?

1) AI-Powered Assistance: Sidekick

Sidekick is Shopify’s AI chatbot that acts like a smart assistant for your store. It helps with tasks, gives advice, and automates work. The updates make it more powerful and user-friendly:

Smarter Insights: It delivers personalized tips based on your store’s data and market trends, like suggesting what to reorder or how to improve sales.

Custom App Building: You can ask Sidekick to create simple apps for your needs, such as a tool to track team tasks, check order returns, or generate discount links for events.

Automation Workflows: Describe a process (e.g., “automate email follow-ups for abandoned carts”), and it builds it in Shopify’s Flow app.

Custom Reports and Segments: It generates data visualizations or customer groups (e.g., VIP buyers) directly in your admin.

Design Help: Edit your store’s theme by describing changes (e.g., “make the header red for holidays”), or tweak images (e.g., change backgrounds or add elements).

Other Improvements: It now handles complex multi-step tasks, works with voice commands on mobile, has a full-screen mode for big jobs, remembers your preferences, and can install apps for you.

Why it matters: Sidekick saves time by doing tedious work for you, like generating reports or fixing designs, so you can focus on growing your business.

2) AI-Driven Selling: Agentic

This section introduces “Agentic” features, which integrate your store into AI chat platforms (like ChatGPT or Copilot) so people can shop via AI conversations.

AI Storefronts: Set up your products to appear in AI chats worldwide. Once configured, your items show up automatically in tools like ChatGPT, with more platforms coming soon.

Easy Setup: You only need to input your data once, and it syndicates (shares) your products everywhere.

Why it matters: It reaches millions of shoppers browsing AI tools, turning casual chats into sales without extra effort.

3) Online Store Tools: Online

These updates improve how your online store looks, works, and sells, with AI helping throughout.

Testing and Simulation: Use A/B testing to try changes (e.g., new themes) before going live. An AI tool simulates shopper behaviour based on real data to predict results.

Theme and Content Editing: Edit products, collections, and more right in the theme editor. Generate themes on mobile by describing your store (e.g., “skateboard gear shop”).

WordPress Integration: Turn a WordPress site into a full online store by adding Shopify products and checkout.

Horizon Theme Upgrades: Faster loading, new animations, and interactive sections for a better user experience.

Product and Pricing Features: Support up to 2,048 product variants (e.g., different sizes/colours), hide products from searches while keeping direct links, duplicate collections, and set automatic discounts for specific customers.

Other Enhancements: Unit pricing (e.g., per pound), AI domain suggestions, improved theme search, and faster logins (e.g., via iOS passcode or social accounts).

New App: “Tinker,” A playground for testing AI tools in one place.

Why it matters: These make your online store more flexible, personalized, and efficient, helping convert more visitors into buyers.

4) In-Store Retail: Retail

For physical stores using Shopify POS (Point of Sale), these updates focus on hardware and software for better reliability and features.

New Hardware: POS Hub: A wired hub that connects devices (e.g., card readers, printers) without Wi-Fi drops, with built-in processing power and automatic updates. Compatible with iPad and Android.

Inventory and Sales Tools: Scan and update stock on the go, add subscriptions in-store, customize POS screens (e.g., receipts, displays), and offer same-day delivery via Uber (in select countries).

Payments Expansion: Accept more methods like QR codes (e.g., for iDeal or Swish), Tap to Pay in new countries, and Cartes Bancaires cards in France.

Returns and Transfers: Better tracking for returns, customizable receipts, and handling transfers between locations.

Why it matters: It makes running a physical store smoother, with fewer tech issues and more payment options to boost in-person sales.

5) Marketing and Growth: Marketing

Tools to attract customers, promote products, and run campaigns.

Product Network: Share products from other Shopify stores in yours (e.g., in search or emails) and earn commissions. Your products can also appear on others’ sites via Shop Campaigns.

Messaging Upgrades: Send SMS marketing, auto-translate forms into 19 languages, and schedule emails/SMS with calendar views.

Segmentation and Targeting: Better ways to group customers (e.g., by product views) and run targeted ads on new channels like X (Twitter) or Snapchat.

Email and Analytics: Dynamic product sections in emails, web pixels for tracking post-purchase behaviour, and improved consent for marketing.

Why it matters: It helps you reach more people, personalize promotions, and track what works, leading to higher sales during busy seasons.

6) Checkout and Payments: Checkout

Improvements to make buying easier and more secure.

Personalization: Show saved card details on the Shop Pay button, customize checkout per country or buyer type.

New Payment Options: Shop Pay installments in the UK, Apple Pay integration, reminders for subscriptions, and more methods in France (e.g., Bancontact).

Switching Providers: Easy migration to Shopify Payments with no downtime, plus Klarna in more countries.

Global-e Integration: Handles international orders seamlessly.

Why it matters: Faster, more trusted checkouts reduce cart abandonment and support global sales.

7) Operations and Efficiency: Operations

Streamline daily tasks like inventory, orders, and analytics.

Inventory Management: Flexible transfers, quick sales on mobile, and comprehensive history (no 180-day limit).

Analytics Upgrades: Heatmaps for data (e.g., sales by time), customizable reports, bot filtering, and precise filters (down to the minute).

Workflows: Test automations in Flow before live, cancel runs, and smarter safeguards for edits.

Other Tools: Flash sales with multi-location stock, bin locations for picking, and enhanced international selling.

Why it matters: It reduces errors and saves time on admin work so that you can focus on strategy.

8) Mobile Shopping App: Shop App

Enhancements to Shopify’s Shop app for iOS/Android users.

Personalization: Dynamic storefronts with relevant products, a deals feed for discounts, and shoppable videos.

Custom Pages: Design product pages with videos and branding.

Discovery: Products appear in immersive experiences (e.g., virtual try-on), with order tracking in 21+ new countries.

Why it matters: It makes shopping on mobile more engaging, helping you tap into millions of app users.

9) B2B (Business-to-Business): B2B

For wholesale or selling to other businesses.

Global Collective: Source and sell products from other Shopify brands in 35+ new countries.

Payments: Accept ACH bank transfers (US only), send payment requests per shipment, and issue store credit.

Discovery and Tools: Suppliers can find retailers, pickup options, dynamic payment terms, and integrations with ERPs (e.g., NetSuite).

Themes and Apps: Horizon themes support B2B features like volume pricing.

Why it matters: It expands wholesale opportunities globally, making it easier to connect with partners.

10) Finance and Money Management: Finance

Tools for funding, payouts, and financial control.

Capital and Balance: Ongoing funding access (US), auto-split payouts (e.g., to savings), and staff cards with spend limits.

Credits and Transfers: Rewards on USDC payments, same-day ACH transfers, and dynamic credit limits.

Other: Real-time fraud alerts and adding checks via mobile.

Why it matters: It provides flexible financing and better cash flow for growing businesses.

11) Shipping and Logistics: Shipping

Easier and faster shipping options.

Labels and Partners: FedEx return labels, default packages per product, custom sender names, and more carriers (e.g., Royal Mail, DHL).

Fulfilment: Track in-progress orders, expanded cross-border options, and more partners like Amazon.

Why it matters: It simplifies shipping, reduces costs, and ensures reliable delivery.

12) Developer Tools: Developer

For coders building on Shopify.

AI Building: Create “commerce agents” for AI chats, access product catalogues, and use the Checkout Kit for web/mobile.

Sidekick Extensions: Build apps that integrate with Sidekick.

Platform Upgrades: Faster bulk operations, improved metafields, new code editors, and tools like Tangle for ML experiments.

APIs and Extensions: Support for POS, returns, inventory, and more, with better security and onboarding.

Why it matters: It empowers developers to create advanced features, making the platform more customizable.

How to Access Shopify’s Winter 2026 Edition: The Renaissance Edition?

Shopify’s Editions are Shopify’s way of announcing a bunch of new features and updates. Most of these roll out automatically to your store, while others only appear when you use the relevant tool, app, theme, plan, or setting.

1) Practical Steps to Get Started

Visit the Editions Page: Head to the Winter 2026 Editions page on Shopify.com.

Pick a Feature: Browse sections like Online, Operations, or Marketing to find what you want (e.g., Sidekick AI tools or new checkout options).

Follow the Setup Guide: Click the “Read help doc” link for that feature. It will guide you through enabling it in your Shopify admin, such as installing an app, tweaking a setting, or updating your theme.

2) Early Access for Shopify Plus Users

If you are on Shopify Plus, you can unlock some features ahead of the general release using Feature Test Drives:

• • Log in to your Shopify admin.

• • Go to Settings > Organization > Feature test drives.

• • Find the feature you want and click Activate feature on stores.

• Choose the stores to apply it to, then hit Save.

This way, you can test and use select updates early. If a feature doesn’t show up, it might not be available yet or require a specific plan; check the help docs for details. If you run into issues, hire a Shopify expert!

What is its Impact on Existing Stores & Apps?

Reduced Dependency on Third-Party Apps: With many features now built directly into Shopify, such as automation, reporting, and marketing tools, store owners can rely less on external apps. This helps reduce monthly costs, improve site performance, and simplifies store management.

No Disruption to Existing Themes: Shopify has ensured that current themes continue to work smoothly. Merchants do not need to redesign or rebuild their storefronts, making the update safe to adopt without downtime or design issues.

Improved Native Functionality: Native Shopify tools are now more powerful and feature rich. Tasks that previously required paid apps, like automation, segmentation, or reporting, can now be handled directly within the Shopify admin.

Some Apps May Become Redundant: As Shopify replaces common app functions with built-in solutions, some installed apps may no longer be necessary. Merchants should review their app stack and remove tools that duplicate new native features.

What is NOT Included or Still Limited?

Some AI Tools Require Shopify Plus: Advanced AI features, including certain automation and analytics tools, are limited to higher-tier plans like Shopify Plus. Small businesses may not have access to all AI capabilities immediately.

Agentic Commerce is Region-Based: AI-driven shopping through chat platforms is still rolling out gradually. Availability depends on the country and supports AI platforms, meaning not all merchants can use agentic commerce right away.

Not All Payment Methods Are Global: While Shopify has expanded payment options, some local payment methods and installment plans are still limited to specific regions. Global coverage is improving but not yet complete.

Full Automation Still Needs Manual Review: Although automation has advanced significantly, Shopify still requires human oversight for certain workflows. This ensures accuracy, security, and compliance with business rules.

What Store Owners Should Do After This Update?

Review and Remove Unnecessary Apps: Store owners should audit their installed apps to identify tools that are no longer needed. Removing redundant apps can improve store speed and reduce costs.

Enable Sidekick and Flow Automations: Merchants should activate Sidekick and Shopify Flow to automate repetitive tasks, generate insights, and streamline operations using AI-powered workflows.

Optimize Checkout Settings: With new checkout personalization and payment options available, merchants should review and update their checkout settings to improve conversion rates and customer experience.

Test New Marketing Tools: Store owners should experiment with new marketing features like SMS campaigns, improved segmentation, and dynamic emails to reach customers more effectively.

Explore Analytics and Reports: The updated analytics tools provide deeper insights into customer behaviour and sales performance. Merchants should use these reports to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

What are the Major Updates for Shopify Store Owners?

AI-Driven Store Management: AI tools like Sidekick help merchants manage their stores more efficiently by handling tasks such as reporting, automation, and design changes.

Better Omnichannel Selling: Shopify now offers stronger integration across online stores, physical locations, mobile apps, and AI platforms, creating a seamless selling experience across all channels.

Faster and Smarter Checkouts: Checkout improvements reduce friction by offering personalized payment options, saved cards, and faster transaction processing.

Improved Marketing Insights: Advanced segmentation and analytics allow merchants to better understand customer behaviour and run more effective marketing campaigns.

Simplified Operations: Inventory management, order handling, and workflow automation are now easier, helping merchants save time and reduce errors.

What are the Major Updates for Shopify Developers?

AI Commerce Agent Creation: Developers can now build AI-powered commerce agents that enable shopping within AI chat platforms, opening new ways for customers to interact with stores.

Sidekick Extensions: Developers can create extensions that integrate directly with Sidekick, allowing merchants to access custom app functionality through AI prompts.

Faster Bulk Operations: Platform performance improvements make bulk data operations faster and more reliable, especially for large catalogues and enterprise stores.

New APIs and POS Tools: Expanded APIs and POS tools give developers more control over checkout, inventory, returns, and in-store experiences.

Enhanced Security and Onboarding: Shopify has improved developer onboarding and security features, making it easier and safer to build, deploy, and manage apps on the platform.

Source: Shopify Winter’26 Edition

Conclusion

Shopify’s Winter 2026 Edition: The Renaissance Edition marks a major shift toward AI-powered, automated commerce. With over 150 updates, it helps merchants sell more, work less, and scale faster across online, in-store, mobile, and B2B channels.

By exploring and enabling the right features, store owners and developers can future-proof their Shopify businesses and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.