Shopify’s New “Trade” Theme Explained — B2B vs Retail Breakdown

Shopify’s New Trade Theme — B2B or Retail? Full Breakdown

Shopify has just introduced its first brand new theme in years — and it’s called Trade. If you’ve been running a Shopify store for a while, this is big news. The Trade theme was released in Shopify Summer Editions 2024 and is designed primarily for B2B (business-to-business) stores. But after exploring it in depth, I found it’s also surprisingly useful for retail merchants.

The Trade theme is a free Shopify Online Store 2.0 theme designed for wholesale and bulk-order merchants. Shopify markets it as an “out-of-the-box” theme for repeat and bulk purchasing — meaning it comes preloaded with all B2B features right inside the design. These include quantity selectors, SKU-based quick order lists, and sections to display partner logos. It’s Shopify’s way of giving Plus merchants an immediate B2B setup without needing custom development.

However, what’s interesting is that the Trade theme shares a lot of DNA with the Dawn theme — the default Shopify theme we all know. Many of its sections and layouts are identical. That means you can think of Trade as a Dawn theme preloaded with B2B features. Retail stores can remove the wholesale elements and still have a modern, beautiful foundation to work from.

If you’re curious to try it, you can search “Trade” on the Shopify Theme Store and click Try Theme. Once added to your theme library, you’ll see the professional color scheme, typography, and layout Shopify included. You can freely edit these sections, remove bulk-order features, and repurpose the structure for your retail store.

This makes the Trade theme interesting not just for wholesalers but also for new Shopify entrepreneurs who want to start with a prebuilt, well-designed base. If you’re still learning how to design or optimize your store, consider joining the 30-Day Beginner’s Shopify Program — it walks you through setting up your entire store correctly from scratch, step-by-step.

From a design perspective, the Trade theme uses neutral colors like beige, gray, and black to create a clean and professional look. It’s a great example of color theory applied to e-commerce. Even if you’re not running a B2B store, you can study its design principles and apply them to your current theme for better branding and conversion.

One of the most unique elements of Trade is the Quick Order List section. This lets B2B buyers input quantities and submit large orders directly on the product page — something rarely seen in retail stores. Retail merchants can easily disable this section, but it’s a clear example of how Shopify is evolving toward more flexible, multi-business features.

For merchants running multiple stores, the arrival of a new theme like Trade shows Shopify’s renewed focus on customization. It’s also a reminder that Shopify still supports and updates its ecosystem with real functional innovation. If you want to stay ahead on updates like this, follow Professor Commerce — we break down every new Shopify feature, update, and theme so you can make informed decisions for your business.

Whether you’re a wholesale or retail seller, Trade is worth exploring. If you’re building your first store, use it as a design template. If you’re experienced, it’s a great case study in how Shopify integrates B2B features natively.

Want to see how I test and compare every Shopify update? Join our community at Patreon for early videos, behind-the-scenes strategy, and brand shoutouts.

Until next time — keep optimizing, keep testing, and keep your Shopify store one step ahead.