Shopify stories

YouLend teams up with Teya to launch flexible cash advances of GBP £1,000-GBP £2 million for more than 30,000 UK SMEs, ahead of EU rollout.

Google launches a Universal Commerce Protocol and Business Agent tools as it bets on AI agents to drive the next era of online shopping.

Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol to link AI shopping agents, retailers and payments in a new ‘agentic commerce’ push.

Patchworks debuts MCP integration layer to plug AI into retailers’ live systems, promising real-time workflows beyond basic recommendations.

Widdop launches its first direct-to-consumer eCommerce site for Softies plush toys, marking a major digital shift for the 140-year-old brand.

Loop Returns warns UK brands that neglected international returns risk eroding margins and loyalty as global eCommerce hits USD $6.3 trillion.

Sibling-founded app Villagehood launches in beta, using geo-based meetups to help local mums tackle loneliness and build real-life support.

Brands are ditching fragmented martech stacks for centralised platforms as AI, richer messaging and costs expose the limits of siloed channels.

Linux Foundation unites Anthropic, Block and OpenAI in new Agentic AI hub to standardise tools and protocols for autonomous AI agents.

Value for money drives online customer sentiment three times more than price, delivery speed or product quality, a study of reviews finds.

Cloud Nine streamlines global sales and fulfilment, using BPA to knit together NetSuite, Salesforce, Shopify and logistics partners.

Freshworks rolls out new AI tools for Freshdesk to unify channels, cut agent drudgery and boost resolution speeds for service teams.

Linux Foundation launches Agentic AI Foundation to standardise open protocols for interoperable AI agents with backing from major tech firms.

IDHL launches IDHL Labs, a group-wide AI incubator backed by GBP £1.5 million to fast-track automation, tooling and data-driven services.

Value for money, not low prices or rapid delivery, is the strongest driver of eCommerce satisfaction, Judge.me’s study of reviews finds.

As AI reshapes marketing teams, experts warn of a global redundancy wave-and argue human experience is now the industry’s rarest asset.

Creative Hut has outsourced logistics to 3PL, aiming to enhance fulfilment efficiency for its complex range of educational STEAM products.

IDHL has acquired Vervaunt, adding over 70 experts and investing GBP £1.5 million in AI to boost eCommerce and digital marketing capabilities.

UK SMEs are increasingly using fast-track finance to meet surging Black Friday demand, with applications rising nearly a third ahead of the festive season.

Portalink partners with Shopify to automate offline B2B sales orders, cutting costs and errors, available to Shopify Plus customers from January 2026.