Dr. Shopify’s latest update? Summer ’25 is packed with power, let’s break it down, fast.

Shopify’s Summer ’25 Edition officially named Horizon, launched on May 21, 2025, introducing an impressive lineup of new features for merchants and developers. Packed with tools powered by AI, flexible checkout capabilities and new design systems, this edition takes speed, scale and customization to a whole new level.

This is your quick, no-fluff summary of the most important updates. You will find key highlights below, plus bullet points for at-a-glance insights. More detailed deep dives on specific features like Sidekick and Horizon.

Top 5 Must-Know Updates of Horizon (Summer Edition ‘25)

These are the headline features every merchant and developer needs to know about:

1. Horizon Design System + AI-Powered Themes

The new Horizon design system introduces a streamlined, block-based layout and smart theme options driven by AI.

• AI themes speed up store creation and improve performance
  

• Visual blocks for faster customizations without code
  

• Improved consistency across templates and sections
  

2. Shopify Sidekick – Your AI Store Assistant

Shopify's new AI powered assistant, Sidekick, is here to help merchants work smarter.

• Automates store tasks like editing products and updating pages
  

• Provides insights and suggestions based on store data
  

• Assists with planning, research and daily operations

3. Checkout Extensibility + Split Shipping

Checkout gets more flexible and feature-rich with expanded APIs and UX options.

• Split shipping allows multiple delivery options per order
  

• Developers can now use new UI components and extensions
  

• More control over the checkout experience
  

4. Global Commerce Tools

Shopify summer ‘25 edition launched new tools to simplify international selling, making cross-border sales smoother than ever.

• Better support for multi-market catalogs
  

• Streamlined workflows for currencies, shipping zones and local experiences
  

• Unified controls across global storefronts

5. Developer Experience Boosts

Shopify’s dev toolkit has been seriously upgraded with better flexibility and scalability.

• Unified developer platform across functions, themes and apps
  

• Declarative data definitions simplify logic
  

• More Shopify Functions for personalized experiences
  
  

Shopify Summer 2025 Edition AI Powered Features

AI is the central force behind many of the Summer '25 updates. Here's where it’s showing up:

AI Themes & Blocks

• Store creation is now faster with AI generated layouts and content
  

• Merchants can use smart blocks that suggest optimized designs
  

Sidekick as Your Business Co-Pilot

• Handles time-consuming admin tasks
  

• Suggests next best actions based on your sales patterns
  

• Integrates seamlessly into the admin dashboard
  
  

AI Media Tools

• Built-in AI image editing for removing backgrounds or enhancing visuals
  

• Generate content-ready media directly in Shopify
  

AI APIs for Developers

• APIs for integrating custom AI tools and services
  

• Enables dynamic content creation and personalization at scale
  

Other Important Updates at a Glance

Some updates may not be headline-grabbing, but they are powerful enhancements that boost day-to-day performance.

Enhanced Theme Editor

• Easier editing experience for both merchants and developers
  

• Global settings and block controls are more accessible
  

Multi-Market B2B Features

• Custom pricing and catalogs per region
  

• One admin, multiple wholesale storefronts
  

POS Remote Admin

• Manage retail locations without being on-site
  

• Access data, sales and team management tools remotely
  

Real-Time Analytics Dashboard

• Track sales, products and customer behavior as it happens
  

• Make better decisions with live insights built into your dashboard
  

What's in It for Merchants & Developers

For Merchants:

• Faster store creation with Horizon and AI tools
  

• Smarter operations with Sidekick’s automation and suggestions
  

• Better global reach with multi-market support
  

• Streamlined checkout with flexible delivery options
  

• Live performance tracking with real-time analytics
  

For Developers:

• More Shopify Functions for custom logic and UI
  

• Unified platform simplifies theme and app development
  

• AI integration options through APIs
  

• Declarative data definitions reduce complexity
  

Conclusion

Shopify Summer ’25 Edition marks a big shift toward smarter, faster commerce. Whether you are a solo merchant or building for high-volume brands, the tools in this release give you more control, speed and flexibility.

Stay tuned: We will be sharing deep dives into Sidekick, Horizon, global commerce features and more in the coming weeks.

Book Free Consultation