Growth Investors: Can You Still Still Cash in on Shopify (TSX:SHOP)?

There are good reasons to believe Shopify (TSX:SHOP) (NYSE:SHOP) isn’t done growing. Here are two of them.

| More on:

The ecommerce sector has been growing at a fast pace. Online sales are currently outpacing brick and mortar sales in terms of growth – a trend that is projected to continue. While most major brick and mortar stores aren’t in danger of being destroyed by the online shopping revolution, the ecommerce sector isn’t finished growing.

Various companies have already taken advantage of the ecommerce space, but Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) is currently the hottest among them. The company’s growth over the past few years has been stratospheric. There are many reasons behind Shopify’s growth, but one of the most essential has been its competitive advantage. Let’s look at two factors that explain Shopify’s success and why I think the company is still a sensible investment option.

A unique platform

Shopify isn’t the largest among ecommerce companies. Firms such as Amazon, eBay and others are currently ahead of Shopify by most metrics. Consider, for instance, gross merchandise volume (GMV), which measures the amount of dollars in sales on online shopping platforms. Shopify isn’t the top three ecommerce platform in terms of GMV. To be clear, Shopify’s GMV is on the rise. The company’s latest earnings report showed an average GMV increase of 24% for its merchants.

But Shopify’s competitive advantage comes in part from the unique platform it offers. The company gives small business owners and entrepreneurs the possibility of building a strong and customized online presence. Merchants on Shopify have a lot of freedom as far as what they want they ecommerce website to look like.

Thus, merchants can adapt their platforms to their target market. Of course it was possible to build an ecommerce website before Shopify came along. However, Shopify allows its customers to avoid many of the typical hassles of building a website. Shopify makes the task rather easy, and small business owners who may not be tech-savvy can focus on attracting customers and on their day-to-day operations.

High switching costs

Online traffic on ecommerce platforms such as eBay and Amazon is enormous. It may seem natural for business owners to think of those first to reach customers. However, as much traffic as these platforms are, there also come with a lot of competition. It is often difficult for vendors to stand out in the crowd on Amazon. Shopify provides an alternative, and in doing so, forces merchants to create an entire website to attract customers.

Once a merchant has spent time and money building an online presence, it’s very troublesome to switch. Thus, Shopify’s business model comes with high switching costs. These costs aren’t just in the form of dollar bills. But creating a marketplace designed to attract a clientele requires a lot of effort. This ensures that Shopify’s merchants aren’t likely to leave the platform, even if there is an option that is just as good, or even better.

Investor takeaway

Given Shopify’s growth history, some investors may be skeptical of the company’s ability to continue at the same, or even at a comparable rate. However, Shopify is up by more than 30% since the beginning of the year. The Ottawa-based firm’s competitive advantage will likely continue to spur revenue growth. Thus, it may not be too late to invest in Shopify.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Prosper Bakiny owns shares of Amazon. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon, Shopify, and Shopify. Shopify is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada. 

More on Investing

think thought consider
Tech Stocks

Is CGI Stock a Buy Even With No Dividend Yield?

CGI stock may not have a dividend to speak of. But does that necessarily mean you should ignore this top…

Read more »

A robotic hand interacting with a visual AI touchscreen display.
Tech Stocks

Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Canadian AI Stocks

Are you looking for one of the most solid Canadian AI stocks out there? This one is probably your best…

Read more »

The letters AI glowing on a circuit board processor.
Tech Stocks

Why AI Stocks Should Be in Every Canadian Investor’s Portfolio

AI stocks continue to be one of the best options out there for long-term investing, especially when considering Canadian options.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Bank Stocks

Canadian Bank Stocks: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

There are opportunities and risks on the horizon for the Canadian banks.

Read more »

Young Boy with Jet Pack Dreams of Flying
Stock Market

Is Air Canada Stock a Good Buy After Its Q3 Results

Down almost 60% from all-time highs, Air Canada is an undervalued TSX stock that remains an enticing investment in November…

Read more »

cloud computing
Investing

Where to Invest $10,000 in November

Given their solid underlying businesses and healthy growth prospects, I expect these two defensive stocks to outperform uncertain outlook.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Retirement

Here’s the Average RRSP Balance at Age 44 for Canadians

Holding stocks like Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) in an RRSP is a good way to build your wealth.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Want a 7% Yield? The 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These TSX stocks are offering high yields of over 7%, making them attractive for investors seeking steady passive income.

Read more »