Welcome to the Platter Newsletter, where we cover the latest news, tactics, and trends shaping ecommerce.

In this issue

📉 Amazon bails on Google Shopping
🎥 Hi Seltzer’s new store
🧠 Microsoft Clarity drops a free Shopify app
⚙️ Shopify’s latest feature updates
🔥 Sauna in the city

STORY OF THE WEEK

Amazon disappears from Google Shopping ads

Between July 21–23, Amazon dropped entirely out of Google Shopping auctions across the U.S., UK, and Germany. Impression share is down from ~60% to 0%.

This is Amazon’s biggest pullback since the early pandemic.

Analysts think Amazon’s retreat might be about control. With Google’s Performance Max automating more of the shopping journey, Amazon may be pulling back to avoid handing over valuable customer data.

“Amazon is officially gone from shopping auctions,” said Tinuiti’s VP of Research, Andy Taylor. “This opens a rare window of opportunity for retail brands.”

If you’re running paid search, keep an eye on your CPCs and impression share. The water just got a little less crowded—for now.

Read the full breakdown.

SHOPIFY UPDATES OF THE WEEK

Shopify dropped seven updates this week. Here’s what you need to know:

1. AI image generation in the file picker
   Generate hero images, logos, and product shots without leaving Shopify. Just click “generate image” when uploading files—same tech as Sidekick.

2. Better marketing consent for forms
   Now you can:

   • auto-subscribe users

   • show a checkbox

   • or skip marketing entirely

3. Custom sign-in page text
   Update the copy on customer login and OTP pages to match your brand voice.

Read Shopify’s full changelog.

STORE OF THE WEEK

Hi Seltzer’s refresh

Hi Seltzer just launched their newly-designed store and we absolutely love this fresh new look. From bundling to product pages, every part of this store is full of color.

Here are our favorite parts:

• Custom bundle builder
  Mix and match flavors across 12, 24, or 32-packs with live pricing updates. Built using Platter’s custom bundler.

• Shoppable videos
  Scrollable, auto-play videos make the shopping experience feel like social content.

• Mega menu
  Floating fruit, best sellers label, bundles, and a color matched tiles all packed into the nav.

Curious what other stores Platter has designed and built? Check out our Showcase for the latest stores.

OTHER ECOM NEWS THIS WEEK

Microsoft Clarity just launched a Shopify app

Microsoft quietly dropped a Shopify app for Clarity and it’s kind of a big deal.

Brands can now track every step of the customer journey, including checkout. For smaller teams, this might be the easiest way to get behavior insights without the price tag of other third party apps. But even for bigger brands, the value prop is hard to ignore:

• It's completely free with no traffic caps

• It auto-tracks Shopify checkout (huge)

• It’s already integrating with AI tools like Claude for deeper analysis

Read the full launch details.

PARTNER OF THE WEEK

Drivepoint

This week, we are featuring our partner Drivepoint. They take the guesswork out of forecasting. Their platform gives brands real-time visibility into product, revenue, and demand analytics across every channel.

Brands like True Classic, Graza, and Salt & Stone use Drivepoint to make smarter decisions and unlock serious profitability. On average, brands see 6.7% EBITDA growth in year one.

Get exclusive insights and benchmarking of your financials with a Platter exclusive offer here.

EVENT OF THE WEEK

Coffee & Sauna in the city

We’re back in NYC this Wednesday for another Platter Rooftop Social. This time it’s an early bird sauna session for founders, marketers, and operators in the Shopify space.

Come network and enjoy good conversation on a rooftop in Soho.

RSVP here if you’re in town.