eCommerce Fastlane: Shopify Growth Strategies—Where AI Efficiency Meets Human Connection

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! I’m Steve Hutt, and today we’re diving into Shopify’s Summer Editions 2025—also known as the “Horizons” release.

If you’re new to Editions, here’s the quick scoop: every six months, Shopify rolls out a huge batch of updates—this summer’s release features over 150 enhancements spanning the entire platform. It’s their way of showcasing what’s new, what’s improved, and how they’re helping merchants like you stay ahead in today’s ever-evolving retail landscape.

Even in our digital-first world, 80% of commerce still happens in-store. Yet, so many brands are stuck juggling disconnected systems and clunky middleware. That’s why this year’s completely reimagined Shopify POS—version 10—caught my attention.

It’s not just a facelift; it’s a full transformation of what unified commerce can look like, packed with features designed to supercharge your retail journey and finally bridge the gap between online and in-person selling.

To unpack the details, I’m joined by Ray Reddy, Shopify’s VP of Product for Retail. Ray’s got a front-row seat to the evolution of omnichannel, and he’s here to share how POS 10 is unlocking new levels of efficiency, customization, and customer experience for brands of all sizes. Whether you’re running a single pop-up or hundreds of stores, you’ll hear firsthand how these updates can help you reduce friction, elevate your in-store game, and get a true 360-degree view of your customer.
 
Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome.
For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog. 

What is eCommerce Fastlane: Shopify Growth Strategies—Where AI Efficiency Meets Human Connection?

Running a Shopify store? You already know success isn't about finding the right app—it's about knowing which strategies actually work at your specific stage of growth.

I'm Steve Hutt, and I've lived every level of the ecommerce journey. From eBay Power Seller shipping products from my garage, to co-founding and scaling VisionPros.com (an optical DTC startup) through to a successful exit, then spending 6+ years as a Shopify Merchant Success Manager helping 100+ brands from startup to enterprise scale, including working with teams at Tentree, Dr. Squatch, Bulletproof Coffee, Salt & Straw Ice Cream, MUD/WTR, Bokksu, and many more.

Here's what makes this podcast different: I've been on both sides of the table.

6+ years working inside Shopify gave me access to what's coming before most merchants know it exists. Building, scaling, and successfully exiting my own ecommerce businesses taught me what actually works when your money and reputation are on the line. That combination of insider access plus real operator experience gives you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.

Since 2018, eCommerce Fastlane has delivered over 430 episodes and more than 2 million downloads to ambitious Shopify founders and marketers. Every week, I chat with operators, developers, and experts who share what's actually moving the needle right now—not theory, but patterns I've seen work consistently across dozens of brands at multiple stages.

Whether you're launching your first store or scaling past seven figures, every episode gives you stage-aware strategies you can implement this week. We cover Shopify apps and best practices, digital marketing and retention tactics, AI and automation tools, as well as operations and logistics that reduce overwhelm while building lasting customer loyalty.

You'll learn how to leverage emerging tech without losing what makes your brand unique. You'll also hear real founder stories, including lessons from my own journey building and exiting a DTC brand, plus insights from 430+ industry leaders who've been exactly where you are.

This isn't content for content's sake. It's the insight you'd get sitting at a mastermind table with someone who's succeeded at every level, helped hundreds of others do the same, and has the pattern recognition to show you what actually works at your current stage.

Ready to grow smarter, not just faster? Join thousands of founders and marketers in the eCommerce Fastlane community through our podcast, newsletter, blog, and forthcoming book "Thriving with Shopify."

Steve Hutt
DTC Founder | Podcast Host

Find Us Online
Website: eCommerceFastlane.com
Newsletter: FastlaneInsider.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shutt
X: x.com/stevenhutt
Instagram: instagram.com/ecommercefastlane
Email: steve@ecommercefastlane.com