Shopify News August 2026: The key updates

Shopify has also released a number of updates in August 2026. This time, the focus is primarily on technical adjustments, new options for shipping and payments, and improvements to analytics, marketing and headless commerce.

Of particular note are the phasing out of script tags, new features for Hydrogen and Oxygen, and enhancements to Shopify Shipping, WhatsApp marketing and Shopify Payments.

In this article, we outline the key Shopify updates from August and explain what they mean for retailers.

Script tags are being phased out: what retailers need to know now

Shopify is phasing out script tags. This technology was used, amongst other things, by apps to integrate JavaScript into Shopify shops. In future, Shopify will instead rely more heavily on modern solutions such as Theme App Extensions, Web Pixels and Customer Account UI Extensions.

Script tags on the order status page will cease to run on 26 August 2026. A longer transition period applies to script tags on storefronts: from 1 October 2026, no new script tags may be created and existing ones may no longer be updated. They will cease to run completely on 1 March 2027.

What alternatives are there?

Depending on the area of application, different solutions may be suitable:

• Theme App Extensions for storefront functions and UI elements

• Web Pixels for tracking and marketing scenarios

• Customer Account UI Extensions for functions relating to customer accounts and the order status page

Retailers should therefore check whether existing apps or bespoke developments still rely on script tags.

Latori expert tip:

Not every script tag can be replaced using the same technology. First, check what function the script performs, and then choose the appropriate extension or pixel solution.

Important: Script tags are not the same as Shopify Scripts, which were already discontinued in June 2026. The two technologies have different areas of application.

Hydrogen is getting new features

Shopify released a new Developer Preview update for Hydrogen in August. The update focuses on improvements relating to the shopping basket, customer accounts, analytics and local development.

Among other things, shopping basket and customer account sessions are now better synchronised with one another. Hydrogen also now supports shopping basket attributes, which allow additional information to be stored in the shopping basket or for individual items.

Further improvements relate to page-view events during client-side navigation, Shop Pay buttons and local HTTPS environments for customer account development.

In doing so, Shopify is particularly enhancing the possibilities for custom-developed and technically sophisticated headless storefronts.

ShopifyQL: Shop Campaigns performance now available in analytics tools

Since 10 August 2026, data from Shopify Shop Campaigns has been available via ShopifyQL. This makes it easier to compare Shop Campaigns with other marketing channels.

What data is available?

The data can be analysed at campaign level, as well as by customer segment and time period. This includes, amongst other things:

• Advertising expenditure

• Turnover and orders

• Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

• Average order value (AOV)

• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

The data can be integrated into analytics tools such as Triple Whale, Northbeam or Elevar, for example. Custom reports created using tools such as Power BI, Tableau or Looker Studio can also access the data via ShopifyQL. In addition, Shop Campaigns data is available directly in the Analytics and Advertising sections of the Shopify admin.

Latori expert tip:

For retailers who analyse their marketing channels centrally, this makes it easier to compare Shop Campaigns with other campaigns. If you already have an analytics setup in place, check whether your reporting tool already supports the new data.

Shopify Inventory: ‘Reserved’ becomes ‘Committed’

Shopify is changing the designation and classification of certain stock quantities. Stock from draft orders, as well as transfers and shipments, which were previously categorised as ‘Reserved’, will in future be shown as ‘Committed’.

Important for merchants: This does not affect the actual available quantity. It is simply a change to the way stock is categorised.

This change is particularly relevant for custom integrations. Systems that retrieve the ‘reserved’ value from Shopify and use it for their own stock logic should be checked accordingly.

Latori expert tip:

When integrating with ERP, PIM or WMS systems, stock enquiries should always be checked for consistency following Shopify updates. Custom API enquiries, in particular, may be affected by changes to stock classification.

Oxygen is now also available for development stores

Shopify is expanding the range of uses for Oxygen in August. The hosting platform for Hydrogen storefronts can now also be used with development stores.

This allows developers to test Hydrogen projects on Oxygen whilst they are still in the development phase and to carry out deployments under more realistic conditions.

This new feature is particularly of interest to agencies and development teams looking to set up new headless projects or who wish to evaluate Hydrogen first.

Multiple tracking numbers are possible when using orderCreate

Shopify is expanding the orderCreate mutation of the Admin GraphQL API. From API version 2026-10 onwards, multiple tracking numbers can be provided directly when creating a fulfilment.

This is relevant, for example, when an order is dispatched in several parcels.

Previously, additional tracking numbers had to be added retrospectively. With the new trackingNumbers field, multiple tracking numbers can be submitted directly when creating the fulfilment.

This new feature therefore makes integrations with ERP, OMS or WMS systems much easier.

Latori expert tip:

For multi-package shipping, it is worth reviewing existing fulfilment integrations. The new feature can reduce the number of API calls and simplify the transfer of tracking information.

DHL Express is now available directly via Shopify Shipping

Since 13 August, DHL Express has been available directly via Shopify Shipping in Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain. Retailers can create DHL Express labels for domestic and international shipments directly within the Shopify admin.

Key features include:

• Create DHL Express labels directly from Shopify

• domestic and international shipments

• automatic customs documents for international shipments

• support for DHL On Demand Delivery

• no additional shipping app required

This integration therefore makes shipping particularly easier for retailers with an international express business.

Latori expert tip:

For shops using multiple delivery providers or with complex dispatch rules, it is worth checking whether Shopify Shipping is sufficient or whether a centralised dispatch system via an ERP, WMS or a dispatch platform would be more appropriate.

Shopify Payments: New Activity Report provides greater transparency

Shopify is adding a new Activity Report to Shopify Payments. The report shows how the Shopify Payments balance has changed over a selected period.

The report includes, amongst other things:

• Opening balance

• Gross transactions

• Fees

• Payments

• Closing balance

The report can be accessed via Finance → Documents → Shopify Payments Activity Report or via the Payouts page, and exported as a PDF.

This makes the new feature particularly suitable for monthly closings, reconciliations and the documentation of payment activities.

Latori expert tip:

For shops with a high transaction volume, the Activity Report can simplify the reconciliation process between Shopify Payments, ERP and accounting.

WhatsApp marketing: Collect consent via Shopify Forms now

Since 6 August, retailers have been able to collect consent for WhatsApp marketing directly via Shopify Forms. This allows the building of a WhatsApp subscriber list to be integrated directly into lead generation.

The process might look like this, for example:

Shop visit → Shopify Form → WhatsApp opt-in → WhatsApp marketing

This new feature complements the WhatsApp support in Shopify Messaging, which was introduced at the end of July. There, retailers can create and send WhatsApp marketing campaigns.

The actual Shopify Messaging integration for WhatsApp was released on 29 July and is therefore not new news for August. However, it forms the basis for using the consents obtained via Forms for WhatsApp marketing.

Latori expert tip:

If you want to use WhatsApp as a marketing channel, you should integrate consent directly into the lead generation process. It is important to take into account the requirements for valid consent and data protection.

Conclusion

The Shopify updates in August 2026 demonstrate that Shopify is continuing to expand its platform both technically and functionally. Alongside new shipping and payment features, the focus is primarily on modern integration options, headless commerce and marketing.

Of particular relevance to merchants are the new DHL Express integration, the Shopify Payments Activity Report and the ability to collect WhatsApp opt-ins via Shopify Forms. For developers and businesses with more complex system landscapes, however, the changes to script tags, inventory and the fulfilment APIs are particularly important.

Anyone who customises Shopify or integrates it with ERP, WMS and other third-party systems should review the new technical changes at an early stage. This will allow them to plan any necessary adjustments before existing integrations are no longer supported.

Latori: Your Shopify Platinum Partner

As a Shopify Partner and one of Germany’s first Shopify Platinum agencies, Latori has first-hand knowledge and is always up to date with the latest changes to the shop system. We have already had the privilege of supporting numerous national and international brands in their transition to Shopify Plus.