Shopify Summer Editions '25: Part One

Shopify’s Summer Editions have become something of a landmark event. This year, the platform has released over 150 new features. A mix of AI experimentation, theme overhauls, smarter checkout tools and serious progress on the in-store experience.

But what do these updates actually mean for busy retailers?

At Visualsoft, we travelled to Toronto for Shopify’s Editions.dev event to get ahead of the noise. In this first part, we’re highlighting the updates that could affect the way you build, manage and sell day-to-day. From Horizon, the new default theme foundation, to a smarter theme editor and a more responsive checkout, here’s what to know and where to look next.

Top Summer Editions updates you should pay attention to

Horizon: A new theme foundation

Let's start with Horizon. If you're wondering whether Shopify's quietly shelving Dawn, the answer is, kind of. Horizon is being positioned as the new default framework. Think of it as reimagining how Shopify wants themes to work going forward.

It's not just one theme, either. Horizon is a framework that already underpins ten new templates available in the Shopify Theme Store. These are built with flexibility in mind, largely through expanded theme blocks.

One headline feature: AI-generated blocks. The idea here is promising. You input a prompt and get a custom block in return. In practice? Mixed results.

If you know your way around prompt engineering, you might coax something close to what you need. If not, the tool can be frustratingly vague. It's early days, fine for quickly generating simple blocks, but anything more bespoke feels like a stretch. We wouldn't recommend relying on it for production just yet.

Still, Horizon is worth paying attention to. Internally, Shopify's calling it the new foundation. One person we overheard at Editions.dev even referred to it as 'Online Store 3.0'. Time will tell whether it earns that status, but the direction is clear.

Theme editor has an overhaul 

The theme editor has had a noticeable upgrade, especially for those managing content day in and day out. A few changes are relatively minor on paper, but they'll make a genuine difference in practice.

Copy and paste sections

It sounds small, but being able to copy and paste pre-styled sections across your store is a real time-saver. Previously, you had to rebuild the styling from scratch even if you reused the same type of section on multiple pages. Not anymore.

Now, you can duplicate a section exactly as it is, which is ideal for landing pages or replicating content blocks with only minor edits needed.

Block preview via hover

This one's aimed at content teams. When adding or editing a block, you can now preview how it looks before making it live. A small change, but helpful if you're experimenting and want to avoid endless publish/unpublish loops.

Discount codes at cart drawer and cart page

This has been something that a lot of merchants have been frustrated that it isn’t a standard feature of the theme. Finally, now it is.

More interactive product cards, that allow customers to view all product images, as opposed to the single main image and hover state image.

Rename & group blocks

Having ten different 'Rich Text' blocks and no way to tell them apart has always been mildly annoying. You can now rename blocks and sections, making them easier to manage, especially on content-heavy pages.

Grouping blocks under a parent is another subtle but welcome addition. Good for organisation, great for sanity.

Note: These theme editor enhancements are currently only available for Horizon-based themes. Worth keeping in mind if you're thinking about making the switch.

Sidekick is now smarter

Sidekick has been around for a while, but it's grown significantly since its first release. Originally pitched as your AI assistant for all things Shopify, it now feels more like an actual part of your team, or at least, that's where it's heading.

The key change? Context. Sidekick now understands your store's specific configuration, Shopify plan, and even the features you use. So, when you ask a question, you're not just getting a generic answer. You're getting one that actually applies to your setup.

What's new:

• Screen sharing and voice support: You can now show Sidekick what you're looking at and explain (in plain English) what you're trying to do. It responds in real-time.
• 20 languages supported in the admin: A practical update for international teams or those whose first language isn't English. Makes onboarding and troubleshooting much easier.

 It's not perfect, and it might not always understand more complex customisations, but it's getting there. And fast.

Staging stores: Coming (very) soon

This was one of the more exciting announcements, not just for developers but for merchants who've long struggled with testing updates safely.

Staging stores are finally on the horizon. Not live just yet, but officially on the roadmap.

What's been promised so far:

• You'll be able to create a full staging environment that mirrors your live store.
• All third-party integrations (including ERP, WMS, PIM and others) will carry over.
• Scheduled rollouts to production will be possible, improving reliability and reducing downtime.

Shopify did not offer a hard release date; honestly, we've seen 'coming soon' drag on before. But this one feels real. If it lands in the shape they're describing, it will be one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades in years.

POS: A more custom experience

Shopify's retail offering has come a long way. Over the past year, it's clear that POS has been a priority, and version 10 shows exactly what that kind of focus can deliver.

 Key highlights:

• Faster navigation and smarter search
• Adaptable cart options for more fluid in-store selling
• Greater flexibility and control, especially across multiple locations

That's the technical bit. What really stood out to us though, was the emphasis on branding. Shopify has reimagined the retail checkout as a brand touchpoint, not just a transaction.

Now you can:

• Customise the customer-facing display with brand visuals, seasonal promos, or even idle animations.
• Manage content by location, ensuring each store feels consistent but locally relevant.

It might sound a little niche, but for high-street retailers or those doing pop-ups, this extra level of polish makes a difference. It's not just about selling anymore; it's about experience.

Checkout: Subtle, but smarter

Shopify’s checkout is often described as ‘already best-in-class’, which raises the question, how much better can it really get?

Turns out, a little bit. The latest round of updates isn’t showy, but it addresses real friction points. The sort of issues merchants have been flagging for years.

Here’s what stood out:

• Apple Pay as a payment method (not just express)

This change gives customers more choice. If you’re using Apple Pay, it no longer forces an express checkout route; it becomes just another standard option. It’s a small but sensible tweak that puts control back in the buyer’s hands.

• Better communication for split shipments

Orders coming from multiple fulfilment centres now show clearer breakdowns during checkout. Previously, this kind of messaging would get buried in a post-purchase email (and then ignored). Now, it's upfront and visible before the order’s even placed.

• Roblox integration

This might raise eyebrows, but hear us out. Shopify Checkout now works inside Roblox, which could be interesting for brands with younger, digitally native audiences. It’s niche but potentially powerful for those living comfortably in experiential or fandom-driven spaces.

• PCI DSS V4 compliance

As of April 2025, Shopify Checkout will fully comply with the latest PCI security standards. Not something most merchants will think about daily, but the peace of mind is real, especially for those migrating from platforms where this kind of compliance carries an additional cost (or headache).

Why choose Visualsoft as your expert Shopify partner?

At Visualsoft, we believe success on Shopify comes down to more than just platform knowledge. You need a partner who understands how to translate updates like these into growth, day-to-day performance, and long-term value.

• Specialised Expertise
• A professional store customised from the ground up
• Efficient, hassle-free setup
• Comprehensive wrap-around services covering SEO, PPC, CRO and much more
• Ongoing support and troubleshooting
• Access to advanced features and app integrations

That’s the front-end story, a big step forward in flexibility and user experience, yes, but it’s only half the picture.

Want to see how we can support your Shopify journey in 2025? Get in touch with our experts today - let’s build something amazing together.

In Part Two, we’ll cover the rest: how Shopify is strengthening global selling, upgrading B2B functionality, streamlining operations and giving developers sharper tools to build with. It’s a more behind-the-scenes look, but just as vital if you're planning for long-term performance.

Continue reading Part Two - Shopify Summer Editions '25: Part Two: Global growth, B2B power and developer tools that deliver