This article is provided by BRC Associate Member, Shopify.
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UK retailers aiming for international growth face a complex landscape marked by escalating trade and geopolitical tensions, rising operational costs and shifting consumer behaviour. This climate of uncertainty is compounded further by increased domestic expenses, such as higher National Insurance contributions and rise in the National Living Wage, which have tightened profit margins across the sector.
Despite these headwinds, the global demand for British goods and services remains robust, with exports totalling over £873 billion in 2024. However, many retailers find that the real hurdle lies not in ambition but in execution. Navigating currency conversion fees, complex compliance requirements and fragmented operations often keep global markets frustratingly out of reach.
Shopify’s latest Summer ‘25 Edition introduces two major product advancements designed to change that, introducing the ability to sell from multiple entities and settle in multiple currencies. Together, they give retailers a simplified, scalable way to run truly international operations – all from a single storefront.
Complexity has always been the tax on global ambition
Until recently, most retailers pursuing international growth had little choice but to multiply their operations. For every new region came a new store, new financial processes and a new compliance overhead. This patchwork of systems wasn’t just inefficient – it introduced friction into every aspect of the business, from product catalogue management to financial reporting.
The ability to sell from multiple-entities changes this. It allows multiple legal entities to operate under a single store, while maintaining the flexibility to meet local tax, compliance and payment requirements. Instead of duplicating work, retailers can now scale efficiently – centralising operations while respecting regional nuances.
This structure frees up time, reduces cost and unlocks faster decision-making. Whether you’re a mid-size retailer testing new markets or an enterprise brand with teams on the ground, multi-entity selling provides the operational clarity needed to grow without compromise.
Managing money across markets, minus the hassle
Financial operations are often the silent killer of international expansion. While offering customers their local currency improves conversion, reconciling payments in multiple currencies typically incurs costly foreign exchange fees and unnecessary complexity.
That’s why a technology such as Multi-Currency Payouts is vital as it enables retailers to receive funds in the currency of their choice, without needing separate third-party payment systems. For example, a UK retailer can offer pricing in Euros or US dollars and still be paid into their preferred account with full control over how and when foreign exchange is triggered.
This matters more than ever. Apparel brands with high return rates, for instance, often see foreign exchange fees apply twice – on the original payout and again on the refund. With multi-currency flexibility, retailers can minimise these costs and align their treasury operations to their commercial footprint.
More broadly, businesses can connect local bank accounts across markets, ensuring better cash flow visibility, simplified reconciliation and reduced administrative burden. In short: less friction, more financial fluidity.
Why unified operations matter now
Retailers today aren’t just selling across borders – they’re selling across channels, devices and experiences. And that means the backend needs to be as seamless as the front. Fragmented systems introduce risk, slow decision-making and hold back innovation.
By enabling multi-entity and Multi-Currency Payouts within a single store admin, Shopify is solving for UK retailers with a new kind of operating model – one that’s purpose-built for global, omnichannel commerce. It allows tax, reporting, inventory, fulfilment and payments to speak the same language, reducing duplication and unlocking speed.
That also sets the stage for forward-looking initiatives like AI-driven demand planning or predictive pricing – because clarity in your backend is a prerequisite for innovation at the front.
Built for what’s next
Shopify’s mission is to eliminate operational friction for retailers at every stage of growth. These latest innovations continue that promise by giving businesses the tools they need to expand confidently into new markets and run a single, unified operation with precision.
For UK retailers navigating an increasingly complex global landscape, these updates are more than convenience – they’re a competitive edge. They reduce cost, improve agility and ensure that great products can find customers anywhere in the world, without barriers in the way.
Global commerce isn’t just for multinationals anymore. With the right infrastructure, it’s for every retailer ready to grow.
