Shopify rolls out AI-powered store builder for merchants

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Shopify has introduced a new set of AI-powered tools designed to help merchants easily create and manage their online stores. 

These updates aim to simplify the process of building a website, designing visuals, and running a business, even for users with no tech or design experience.

One of the biggest changes is an AI store builder. With this tool, a user can describe their business in one sentence, and Shopify’s AI will automatically generate a complete online store. 

This gives sellers a ready-to-use website they can personalize further, saving them time and effort.

Shopify also launched a new store design theme called Horizon, available in its Theme Store. Horizon comes with a built-in AI assistant and introduces a feature called Theme Blocks. 

These are like drag-and-drop pieces that let merchants customize their store layout, no coding needed. Merchants can also use AI to create and tweak design elements. 

For example, if they want a banner with text and animation, they just describe it, and the AI builds it.

Shopify’s Sidekick, the company’s AI helper for merchants, also received major upgrades. Users can now talk to Sidekick using voice chat, and it will speak back with answers. 

There’s also a new screen-sharing feature so Sidekick can walk users through Shopify’s tools in real time. 

This can be especially helpful for tricky topics like tariffs or settings adjustments. Plus, Sidekick is now available on the Shopify mobile app, making it easier to get help on the go.

These announcements were made during Shopify Editions, the company’s regular showcase of new features. 

Shopify revealed that Sidekick, launched broadly in December 2024, has already more than doubled its user base in early 2025.

CEO Tobi Lütke has hinted that AI will play a growing role in Shopify’s future, helping the company stay efficient without needing to grow its workforce too much.

What do you think about the use of AI in helping business owners do better online? Do you like this move from Shopify? Tell us below in the comments, or via our Twitter or Facebook.