Shopify is strategically positioning itself for the agentic age of commerce, where AI interfaces become the primary touchpoint for shoppers. This move helps merchants remain discoverable and accessible even as search and shopping shift toward chat-based, personalized experiences, according to PYMNTS.com.
Shopify is now offering developers tools for catalog, universal cart, and checkout. These will help developers use AI powered shopping tools in sites and agents they are building. The catalog tool will let an AI agent search the inventory of millions of merchants with real time data on changes and in stock levels.
Using a traditional search engine forces buyers to run through a product search and checkout flow. As buyers gravitate towards purchasing through an AI query or AI enabled agent or chat window, real time inventory and shipping data powered by AI will let companies provide a more seamless buying experience.
USPS has announced its 2025 holiday package surcharges, following on the heels of FedEx and UPS. These surcharges are scheduled to take effect at October 5, 2025, and will remain in place through January 18, 2026.
For packages up to 10 pounds using Priority Mail and Ground Advantage:
- Zones 1-4 shipments will see a retail surcharge of $.40 to $.60
- Zones 5-9 shipments will see a retail surcharge of $.50 to $1.45
Priority Mail Express up to 10 pounds will have an increase of $1.10 to $4.85, depending on zone and weight. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes will see a surcharge of $.145 for Large boxes, and $.90 for all others.
Holiday surcharges are just a cost of doing business for brands. Stay on top of shipping speed so you don’t have to rush an inordinate amount of packages, and ship in as small of packages as possible.