Shopify surpassed 5,000 apps in the App Store in 2020, but the growth has only just begun. Here are some #commerce trends I expect we’ll see more of in @Shopify's app ecosystem in 2021.

SMS/messaging - these apps have been on the rise for the last few years, but I anticipate more features built into these services and geo specific versions with the conversion rates higher than email.

Video & 3D/AR - an increase in apps that help merchants create video and rich 3D/AR content around their brand and products. Online stores will become more of an "experience" and video as we've seen, is king.

Live selling - apps that help merchants sell to customers by reimagining offline sales experiences in online formats. This trend proved successful in China and will continue to gain traction in the west.

Product sourcing - manufacturers will be seeking to diversify the merchants they work with and scalable distribution in the wake of more traditional retailers closing down. I think we will see this extend from pre-made dropshipping products to further down the supply chain.

Social Commerce - see here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tiktok-shopify-1.5778256. More to come :)

There's a lot more I haven't covered - group buying, mobile-first experiences, taxes and accounting, fulfilment, cross-border features and more. 2021 is the year to build, can't wait to see the awesome products #shopifydevelopers come up with.