Shopify Inc., a leading e-commerce platform, shocked the industry when it announced a 20% reduction in its workforce, affecting over 2,000 employees. This move comes just two and a half months after the company’s president, Harley Finkelstein, stated that there would be no further layoffs following a previous reduction of 10% in the summer of the previous year. The decision to downsize the workforce was unveiled alongside the release of Shopify’s first-quarter earnings report on May 4.
The company’s financials revealed that it generated $1.5 billion in revenue for the period ending March 31, surpassing analyst expectations by 5.1%. Shopify’s Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Lütke, addressed the layoffs and announced the sale of its logistics unit to Flexport Inc., a San Francisco-based supply chain management and logistics company. Lütke indicated that Shopify would be smaller by approximately 20% after these changes were implemented.
Shopify had over 11,600 employees as of December 31 the previous year, making the 20% staff reduction equivalent to about 2,300 positions. The exact number of affected employees was not disclosed by the company. However, Lütke assured those impacted that they would receive a minimum severance package of 16 weeks, with an additional week for each year worked. Medical benefits would also be extended during this period, and former employees would have continued access to a top-tier Shopify subscription.
Shopify’s decision to lay off employees follows a strategic shift in focus toward its core e-commerce business. The company had previously made investments and acquisitions in an attempt to expand into the logistics and fulfillment space, similar to Amazon. However, these ventures did not yield the desired results. In July 2022, Lütke admitted that their bet on e-commerce during the height of the pandemic had not paid off as expected.
Since the initial round of layoffs last summer, Shopify has pursued new partnerships, introduced product updates, and adjusted its pricing plans. It acquired logistics company Deliverr Inc. for $2.1 billion in an effort to establish an internal fulfillment business. However, Shopify recently sold Deliverr to Flexport in an all-stock deal, securing a 13% stake in the startup. Morningstar Inc. analyst Dan Romanoff estimated that this sale, coupled with impairment charges, could cost Shopify around $2.1 billion.
Despite the significant layoffs and divestment of its logistics unit, investors responded positively to Shopify’s news. The company’s shares surged 23% on May 4, closing at $77.65. Analysts believe that the reduction in headcount will contribute to Shopify’s path to profitability, as it reduces risk associated with its fulfillment efforts. The company plans to focus on delivering fulfillment solutions to its merchants through strategic partnerships, enabling a lower-risk approach.
While the layoffs and business shift may signal a challenging period for Shopify, the company remains one of Canada’s most prominent technology firms. With a strong financial performance, positive gross merchandise volume growth, and a renewed focus on its core e-commerce business, Shopify aims to solidify its position in the market and regain investor confidence.
In summary, Shopify’s recent announcement of a 20% reduction in its workforce and the sale of its logistics unit reflects the company’s strategic shift towards its core e-commerce business. These changes aim to position Shopify for long-term success and profitability.