Introduction

Shopify recently made a significant change to its Point of Sale (POS) app by removing the popular “Save Cart” function, which many retailers relied on to manage in-progress orders and keep track of customer purchases. Instead, Shopify has shifted users to a “Save as Draft Order” function, a change that has sparked mixed reactions among merchants.

This article explores the reasons behind this change, its impact on users, how to use the Draft Order function as an alternative, and other potential solutions for managing in-progress orders.

1. What Happened to the Save Cart Function?

The Save Cart feature, previously accessible within Shopify’s POS, allowed retailers to pause an order and retrieve it later with a single click. This function was particularly useful for in-store staff handling multiple customer orders simultaneously or temporarily saving orders while customers continued shopping.

Shopify recently announced that this feature would be replaced by the “Save as Draft Order” function. As a result, all previously saved carts were converted to draft orders, leading to confusion and changes in workflow for merchants.

2. Why Was the Save Cart Function Removed?

Shopify stated that the change aimed to streamline POS operations by using draft orders instead of separate saved carts. Here’s what prompted the update:

• Unified Order Management: Shopify’s goal was to create a unified approach to managing draft orders and in-progress carts across devices and sales channels.
• Expanded Draft Order Capabilities: The new “Save as Draft Order” feature allows merchants to create orders that can be completed later, potentially on different devices or locations.

While intended as an improvement, many merchants found the change less efficient for handling daily retail operations.

3. Impact on Businesses and Common Concerns

The removal of the Save Cart function had a significant impact on the workflows of various merchants:

• Increased Steps for Saving Orders: The Draft Order function requires more steps than the Save Cart function, making it slower and less intuitive.
• Interference with Draft Order Management: Some merchants use draft orders for special or wholesale orders. Mixing in temporary customer carts clutters their system.
• Confusion for In-Store Staff: The more complex workflow has confused staff and slowed down customer service in busy stores.

4. Using Draft Orders Instead of Save Cart

For those adapting to the Draft Order function, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it effectively:

• Creating a Draft Order: Start by building the cart as usual, then tap “More Actions” and select “Save as Draft Order.” Contact details can be left blank if not needed.
• Retrieving a Draft Order: Access saved draft orders by navigating to “Orders” and selecting “Draft Orders.”
• Editing a Draft Order: While draft orders can be edited, they require multiple steps to save changes. If no changes are made, the draft cannot be saved a second time.

Although the Draft Order function offers flexibility, it is less streamlined for in-progress cart management, as many merchants have noted.

5. Shopify’s Response and Future Updates

Following feedback from merchants, Shopify provided an update acknowledging the frustration and confusion. Key responses include:

• Recognition of Workflow Challenges: Shopify has acknowledged the added steps in the new workflow and is reportedly working on optimizing it.
• No Immediate Return of Save Cart: Shopify confirmed that the Save Cart feature will not be returning but stated that they are working to make the Draft Order function more user-friendly.
• Feedback Loop with Merchants: Shopify encouraged continued feedback, which they claim is being taken into account for future improvements.

6. Alternatives to Save Cart for POS Users

Here are some alternative approaches for merchants needing efficient ways to manage in-progress orders:

• Using Notes for Quick Saves: Some merchants use the notes field on customer profiles to jot down in-progress order details, though this is not as seamless as Save Cart.
• Third-Party Apps: Consider exploring third-party POS apps that may offer saved cart functionalities tailored to in-store retail.
• Alternative Draft Order Settings: Merchants can customize settings within Draft Orders to make it easier to save and retrieve in-progress carts, though this still requires extra steps.

Though none of these alternatives fully replicate Save Cart, they can help streamline POS processes for some merchants.

Conclusion

The removal of the Save Cart feature from Shopify’s POS app has affected many merchants who relied on it for efficient order management. While Shopify has offered the Draft Order function as a replacement, it lacks the simplicity and ease of the original feature. Shopify has committed to enhancing the Draft Order workflow, and in the meantime, merchants may need to explore workarounds or third-party solutions to fill this gap.

For those impacted, staying connected with Shopify’s community and providing continued feedback may help ensure that future updates address these workflow challenges.

FAQs

• Why did Shopify remove the Save Cart function?
  Shopify aimed to create a unified workflow using Draft Orders, but this has led to workflow challenges for many merchants.
• Can I turn off Draft Orders in Shopify POS?
  No, Draft Orders are now a core feature for saving in-progress orders in Shopify POS.
• Is Shopify bringing back the Save Cart function?
  Shopify has stated that Save Cart will not return, but they are working to streamline the Draft Order workflow.
• How can I manage in-progress orders without Save Cart?
  You can use the Draft Order function or explore third-party POS apps for similar functionality.
• Where can I provide feedback on this change?
  Shopify encourages merchants to share feedback via the Shopify Community or by contacting support.