Dr. Shopify is back in the operating room and this time, we are diving deep into the Shopify Horizon update.
This is not just a design update or a few new buttons. Horizon is a total upgrade in how you build, run and grow your store. From smart AI features to smoother checkouts and powerful tools for developers, Shopify just made life a whole lot easier for everyone.
You have probably heard the buzz around the big updates. But guess what? The real magic is in the features you might have missed. So let’s take a look under the hood at 13 powerful tools hiding in plain sight and why they matter for your store’s speed, sales and success in 2025.
TL;DR
Shopify’s Horizon Summer ’25 Edition is a massive leap forward for merchants and developers alike. It introduces AI-powered store builders, customizable Horizon themes, a smarter multilingual Sidekick assistant and faster POS v10. You can now accept contactless payments with just your phone, simplify shipping with flat multi-location rates, and even sell real products inside Roblox. Plus, unified discount codes and expanded Shopify Payments in 16 new markets make global selling easier than ever.
For B2B merchants, there are new features like VAT validation, region-specific pricing, and B2B gift cards. Developers get powerful upgrades too, AI-assisted app building, Web Components, Global Catalog API and a Bulk Data CLI for easy migrations. Whether you're launching, scaling, or automating, these 13 hidden Horizon features are built to boost speed, conversions, and global growth in 2025.
Read further to learn more about these features.
1. Horizon & AI-Powered Themes: Build Flexible Stores in Seconds
What it means:
Horizon introduces a new design foundation with 10 customizable themes and AI-powered tools. Merchants can now generate entire store layouts by simply describing their brand, thanks to the AI Store Builder. This tool creates three complete store designs, including images and text, streamlining the setup process.
Use cases:
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New merchants can launch professional-looking stores without design experience.
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Existing stores can refresh their look quickly to match evolving brand identities.
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Developers can leverage AI to expedite theme development and customization.
2. Next-Level Sidekick AI Assistant: Smarter, Multilingual Shopping Support
What it means:
Sidekick evolves from a basic assistant to an essential business partner. It now offers context-aware suggestions, learns from your store's operations and supports multiple languages, enhancing customer interactions globally.
Use cases:
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Merchants receive proactive recommendations for inventory and marketing.
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International stores benefit from multilingual support, improving global customer service.
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Developers can integrate Sidekick to automate routine tasks and gather insights.
3. Redesigned Shopify POS v10: Faster, Smarter, and Fully Brandable
What it means:
POS v10 offers a refreshed interface with improved navigation, smarter search and a flexible cart system. It's designed to make in-person selling more efficient and customizable.
Use cases:
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Retailers can speed up checkout processes and reduce customer wait times.
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Brands can tailor the POS interface to reflect their unique identity.
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Staff benefit from intuitive navigation, reducing training time.
4. Tap to Pay on Mobile: Accept Contactless Payments Anywhere
What it means:
Merchants can now accept contactless payments directly through the Shopify mobile app, eliminating the need for additional hardware.
Use cases:
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Pop-up shops and market vendors can process payments on the go.
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Service providers can accept payments at client locations.
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Small retailers can reduce costs by using existing mobile devices.
Source: (Shopify)
5. Flat-Rate Multi‑Location Shipping: Simplify Complex Delivery Costs
What it means:
Shopify now allows merchants to set flat shipping rates for orders fulfilled from multiple locations, simplifying the checkout experience.
Use cases:
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Businesses with multiple warehouses can offer consistent shipping rates.
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Customers enjoy a transparent and straightforward checkout process.
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Operations teams can streamline logistics and reduce shipping complexities.
Source: (Shopify)
6. Roblox Checkout Integration: Sell Real Products in Virtual Worlds
What it means:
Shopify integrates with Roblox, enabling merchants to sell physical products directly within the Roblox platform, merging virtual and physical commerce.
Use cases:
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Brands targeting Gen Z can tap into Roblox's vast user base.
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Creators can monetize their virtual experiences with real-world products.
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Merchants can explore new marketing channels within gaming environments.
Source: Shopify
7. Discount Codes: One Code for Products, Shipping & Orders
What it means:
Merchants can now create a single discount code that applies to products, shipping and entire orders, simplifying promotional strategies.
Use cases:
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Marketing teams can run cohesive campaigns with unified discount codes.
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Customers benefit from a seamless discount application process.
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Sales promotions become more flexible and easier to manage.
Source: Shopify
8. Global Payments Expansion: Shopify Payments & Multi-Currency
What it means:
Shopify Payments expands to 16 new markets and merchants can now receive payouts in multiple currencies, facilitating global commerce.
Use cases:
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International merchants can simplify payment processing.
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Customers enjoy localized payment options.
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Finance teams can manage multi-currency transactions more efficiently.
9. New B2B Capabilities: Custom Markets, VAT Validation & More
What it means:
Shopify enhances its B2B suite with features like custom markets, automated VAT validation, and the introduction of B2B gift cards, streamlining wholesale operations.
Use cases:
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Wholesalers can manage region-specific pricing and tax compliance.
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B2B customers benefit from tailored purchasing experiences.
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Sales teams can offer incentives through B2B gift cards.
10. Collabs Mobile App: Real-Time Analytics & Mobile Payouts
What it means:
The Collabs mobile app provides creators with real-time analytics and the ability to manage payouts, enhancing influencer marketing efforts.
Use cases:
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Influencers can track campaign performance and earnings in real-time.
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Brands can collaborate more effectively with content creators.
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Marketing teams can monitor and adjust influencer strategies on the fly.
Source: Shopify
11. Storefront Web Components & Global Catalog API
What it means:
Shopify introduces Storefront Web Components and a Global Catalog API, allowing merchants to embed commerce capabilities across various platforms and power AI shopping agents.
Use cases:
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Developers can integrate Shopify functionalities into custom websites and apps.
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AI agents can access product data to assist customers across channels.
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Merchants can expand their reach beyond traditional storefronts.
12. Next-Gen Developer Platform & Tools: Build Apps with AI Assist
What it means:
Shopify's new developer platform offers AI-assisted tools, enabling faster and more efficient app development with less code.
Use cases:
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Developers can accelerate app creation and deployment.
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Merchants benefit from a broader range of high-quality apps.
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Agencies can deliver customized solutions more rapidly.
Source: Shopify
13. Bulk Data Management CLI
What it means:
The Bulk Data Management CLI allows for efficient migration of products, customers and inventory between stores, simplifying large-scale data operations.
Use cases:
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Enterprise merchants can manage multiple stores with ease.
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Developers can automate data migration tasks.
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Operations teams can maintain data consistency across platforms.
Source: Shopify
Checkout: Dr. Shopify’s latest Summer updates
Conclusion
Horizon is not just a Shopify update, it’s a leap into the future of eCommerce. From AI-powered themes to real world sales inside Roblox, these hidden gems are changing how merchants launch, scale and automate their stores. Whether you are a solo founder, a scaling brand, or a Shopify developer, these 13 features are your secret weapons for 2025 success. Ready to put Horizon to work? Dive in, explore and build smarter than ever.
Ready to Make the Most of Shopify Horizon?
Hire SANOMADS, your expert Shopify partner. From AI store builds to custom checkouts, we turn features into results.
