What 2024 taught Shopify merchants

and how to strategize for 2015

Author

Ada at Sellify
December 30, 2024

Hey Champ,

As we wrap up 2024, let’s look back on some of the biggest industry trends, growth hacks, and winning products that shaped this year. We’ll discuss what 2024 taught us and share the insights we all need to start 2025 strong.

So focusing only on trends that directly apply to us, here are some of the significant industry trends that may have impacted your store in 2024:

  • Search evolved. A June 2024 research paper revealed that customers found AI recommendations (only for certain products) more valuable than traditional search engines.

  • AI became even more relevant as Shopify hired Mikhail Parakhin, ex-AI/ML maestro at Microsoft. Also, Perplexity launched its AI-powered shopping assistant and started onboarding Shopify stores directly to its platform.

  • Temu captured a sizeable 17% market share of the ecom market thanks to a strategy combining aggressive pricing, gamification, and a $7m Superbowl ad

  • In response to Chinese retailers like Temu, the EU announced scrapping the €150 duty-free threshold on imports from outside the EU. US legislators also proposed a bill to do the same, and the South African Revenue Service also started charging 20% duty.

  • 2024’s Google’s core updates have brought ranking volatility like never before.

  • TikTok’s January 2025 ban sent shockwaves through the social commerce multiverse.

Lessons from 2024 and how to use them in 2025

  • Review your prices, and consider creating a price buffer to allow for the extra duty costs coming.

  • Update your T’s & C’s to clarify who pays customs taxes.

  • Start shopping around for local suppliers. 2025 will favor those who ship closer to their customers.

  • Niche down, build your brand, and ensure high-quality control to compete against “Temu & friends”.

  • Use AI tools. Submit your store to Perplexity AI’s merchant program (still open 30.12.24) and use AI to create and test products faster.

  • Diversify Early: Multistream your content on IG, YouTube, and Facebook to fill the void left by TikTok.

  • Expect more frequent Google updates in 2025. Optimize existing pages before creating new ones. Do it yourself or get help - it doesn’t matter. Just do it.

  • Gamify & Personalize: Use challenges, points, and real-time data to boost engagement and customer insights.

  • Watch for Trends: Keep an eye on high-growth products like ADHD chairs, light therapy wands, and multipurpose beauty items.

  • Keep Pushing for Improvement: Throughout the year, we encouraged you to take on weekly challenges to optimize various aspects of your store.

Back in May, we discussed one interesting trend - Bamboo pajamas, which had seen searches increase by 132% over the last 24 months.

Months later, Shopify’s President announced CozyEarth’s bamboo pajamas as one of the top trends winning the big money weekend. Pay attention to these trends, folks!

Here are some other trends that have been on the up in 2024.

  • Scent Beads: Laundry’s new favorite meta trend. Searches for “Downy beads” grew 433% as TikTok’s “#LaundryTok” took off.

  • Light Therapy Wands: Skincare meets science. Solawave’s wand brought in $5K/day on Amazon.

  • ADHD Chairs: ADHD-friendly seating raked in $38K/month, proving that productivity products are here to stay.

  • Tinted Serums: Skincare with a glow. Ilia’s serum generates $455K/month on Amazon, riding the wave of minimal, multitasking beauty.

  • Wide-Toe Shoes: Ergonomic footwear became a $121K/month sensation on Amazon, addressing comfort-first buyers.

  • Rosemary Shampoo: Haircare trends exploded with TikTok driving demand for hair-growth products, generating $168K/month.

  • Shilajit Resin: This ancient remedy saw searches spike 658% in 24 months, signaling a growing health-conscious market.

  • Dumb Phones: The global dumb phone market is projected to grow to $10.6B by the end of 2024.

  • Perimenopause Test: . The global menopause market is expected to reach $22.7 billion by 2028.

    Looking for an easy win you can act on? Check out ADHD planners. Now’s the season, with 900 monthly searches and a keyword density of 0.

Double Your Referral Revenue in One Chat

Hey there! I’m a referral marketing nerd obsessed with building programs that unlock real value.

  • I’ve studied all the best cases (like Harry’s) + worked with 300+ Shopify plus brands

  • Helped companies build “referral armies” driving 10% of revenue (most only get 2%)

  • This year alone, I’ve generated over $5M in referral transactions.

Give me 15 minutes, and I’ll show you how to tap into your customers’ networks. Plus, I’ll buy you lunch ($20 UberEats voucher)!

And it’s been a pleasure serving you in 2024, Sellify Club.

Thank you for engagement, opens, interest and a special shout out to everyone who has completed at least 1 poll. You’ve made Sellify Club 1% better.

In 2025, we want to get 10x better. Feel free to hit reply to let us know what we could be doing better.

P.S

If you don’t want to take us with you into 2025, please unsubscribe below - no hard feelings! If on the hand, you do and this landed in your Junk folder or Promotions tab, please unmark it as Junk or drag it into your main inbox.

Wishing you every success in 2025, Champ. We’re rooting for you.

Peace Out,

Ada