There’s no one who will argue and say that 2020 was an easy year. It was a constant obstacle course, with many of the obstacles leaving their imprint on the road.
That way, even after the major problems were beaten, we can be jogging down a path (figuratively speaking) years later, and still trip over potholes.
One company that isn’t worried about falling is Shopify.
What Is Shopify
Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce company that allows people to build stores and sell online on their platforms. This company, which began as a snowboarding business called Snowdevil, recently announced the results of the 2020 sales results. Specifically, the results from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.
The crashing sound of records being broken all over the world were heard during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, as Shopify brought in more than 5.1 BILLION in sales.
What the President of Shopify Says
Yes, sales are up by 84% over what they were in November of 2019, and the president of Shopify, Harley Finkelstein is obviously thrilled by what is happening. But he has a right to be. He sees the pandemic as a catalyst, causing a huge shift in the way people think about shopping.
Calling the year “transformative” for global commerce, Mr. Finkelstein went on to say, that the outstanding sales that occurred during Black Friday/Cyber Monday were indicative of the power inherent in the Shopify platform, because of the direct-to-the-customer business as well as the independent businesses.
“With the center of gravity in commerce shifting from in-store to online, the pandemic has accelerated a change we have long anticipated. This multi-channel shopping phenomenon is the blueprint for the future of retail—and we couldn’t be more excited by it.”
How Have Consumers Responded
It wasn’t only the four days between Black Friday and Cyber Monday that saw gains. The holiday season began earlier than it ever has before. And shoppers responded with incredible energy.
It is no secret that the uncertainty, frustration, and loneliness of social distancing has begun to take its toll on the population.
People are tired of staying in. They are worn out from being told things will open up—oh, sorry, no they won’t—yes, they will—sorry, it is time for another lockdown. It began to feel like riding some sadistic bronco in and out of the front door.
Now, people want to celebrate, even if it’s a micro-celebration.
Shopping feels like it could help with the celebration.
So consumers have just been waiting for the holidays. Standing in the darkness, like a runner waiting for the sun to rise. And when Shopify went ahead and began the sales period early, the runners saw the first glow of light at the horizon and began buying.
But they haven’t only supported Shopify with their shopping dollar. When Shopify went public five years ago, a person could buy stock in the company for $17.
Today, as a result of people being on their computers and laptops during the pandemic, looking for ways to improve their situation, a person can’t even think of buying stock in Shopify until they are ready to plunk down nearly $520. Now that’s growth.
But is Shopify a company we want to invest our futures in?
Shopify and the Environment
There was a time, not so long ago, that we first began realizing the damage being done to our planet. And the ones doing some of the worst damage were companies.
Pumping sludge into rivers and oceans, shooting filth into the air. As long as money could be made, the earth was considered unimportant.
Now, we are seeing that it isn’t only big business that needs to be brought to the table and made accountable.
So here we are. Along with big business. And we must all claim accountability if we intend to change the climate back to what it is supposed to be. Why? So our world can survive.
“To make the next century worth reaching, we need to take better care of our planet.
While Shopify is investing in proven solutions that are already fighting climate change, we are also placing bets on high-potential technologies at the frontier of the carbon removal industry.
Our goal is to help prove, scale, and commercialize climate technology for massive impact in the long term.
Commerce is a powerful vehicle for change. Individuals and businesses making conscious choices can change the world, and Shopify is committed to being an active driver of that change.” (In a written statement by Tobi Lutke, CEO of Shopify, and one of its founders.)
This is what Shopify has declared. To back the declaration up, it has begun investing in companies that are taking fossil fuels out of the energy market.
This sounds like a solid company to deal with. Solid in more ways than just being financially rock solid.
Growth Strategy
Today, in addition to doing business with companies all across the US, Canada and the UK, Shopify also does business in Japan, Italy, Germany and many smaller countries.
Those at Shopify are showing other companies how to start and build e-commerce platforms online. The ones who first worked at Shopify back when it was Snowdevil, then when it became the Jaded Pixel, have found their way.
Along that path has come huge benefits: The ability to pass on what they know about starting and growing a dropshipping business.
And this isn’t just any drop shipping business. A very successful worldwide business with customers in many countries. Revenue exceeding 5.1 billion dollars. Expecting to have things continue to go up. With the ability and will to assist with healing the world’s climate.
Naturally, no one knows exactly what the future holds. Those at Shopify realize this. Still, they look toward the future with positivity. Markets fluctuate. Things happen. These things are understood.
But for now, this is what is happening with Shopify. Thanks to CEO integrity, we can hope to learn more when it is considered prudent.
It appears to be a dream come true for a company that, in 2004, was helping small companies create sites so they could sell directly to customers.
If you are thinking about setting up a Shopify store to begin your e-commerce journey, or you’ve been running your online store and looking to improve your dropshipping business, NicheDropshipping can be your reliable dropshipping supplier and agent.
