Shopify laid off a significant number of staff from its partnerships division in January 2026 as part of a restructuring the company called "a new chapter" in its partner strategy. This guide explains what happened, what affected workers can do next, and where to find support.
This guide is designed to help you prepare and navigate next steps if you were affected by Shopify’s January 21, 2026 partnerships restructuring. It focuses on practical actions to support your transition, not company commentary.
According to reporting from The Logic, the layoffs affected staff across the partnerships division, including the elimination of the entire agency team. Shopify's partnerships division supports businesses that build external tools, apps, and themes to help merchants using the Shopify platform.
Shopify has not disclosed exact numbers. The company told affected employees their roles were being eliminated due to restructuring. Atlee Clark, Shopify's vice-president of partnerships, announced the company was "starting a new chapter" for partners, with a focus on initiatives like agentic commerce and closer integration between partnerships, product, and community-building teams.
These cuts follow several rounds of layoffs at Shopify over the past two years, including mass layoffs in 2022 and 2023. The company's revenue and share price have continued to grow during this period, driven partly by investments in enterprise clients and artificial intelligence.
If you were laid off from Shopify this week, here's what to focus on immediately.
Being laid off is disorienting, even when you knew it might be coming. Shock, anger, anxiety, relief, or numbness are all normal responses. If you can, take a day or two before making major decisions or signing anything.
Before you lose access to Shopify systems, collect:
You typically have time to review severance terms. If you have questions about what you're agreeing to, consider having an employment lawyer look at it. Many offer free initial consultations. This is especially important if you have significant tenure, unvested equity, or concerns about non-compete clauses.
Do not sign a severance agreement under pressure. You usually have time to review the terms. If anything is unclear, consider an employment lawyer, especially if tenure, equity, or non-compete clauses are involved.
Shopify's severance terms depend on your role, tenure, and location. Your package may include:
Review every component carefully. Ask HR for clarification on anything unclear, especially regarding equity.
Most Shopify employees in Canada are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). File as soon as possible after your last day of work.
Current temporary measures (Pilot Project 24, extended through April 11, 2026):
Canadian employees can apply at Service Canada EI Benefits. For detailed guidance on Canadian unemployment benefits after a layoff, see what to do after a massive layoff.
Shopify has employees globally. Check your local unemployment or social insurance system for eligibility and application procedures. Rules vary significantly by country.
This restructuring affects two groups differently:
Your Shopify partnerships experience translates well to many tech roles. The key is framing it effectively.
For formatting guidance, see how to make your resume ATS-friendly.
Our AI-powered scoring system helps organizations assess and standardize resume quality at scale. ATS-compliant templates support consistent formatting, keyword alignment, and interview readiness across cohorts.
Your headline should signal what you do and what you're looking for:
Partner Ecosystem Leader | SaaS Partnerships & Developer Relations | Open to Opportunities
See how to optimize your LinkedIn profile for detailed guidance.
Your skills in ecosystem building, partner revenue, and platform go-to-market are valuable across tech:
E-commerce and retail tech:
SaaS and platform companies:
Fintech:
Agencies and consulting:
For broader Canadian job market context, see hiring trends in Canada and hiring trends in Ontario.
Mass layoffs at well-known companies are understood by hiring managers. Keep your explanation brief and professional.
"After [X] years at Shopify, my role in the partnerships division was eliminated as part of a restructuring. I'm proud of what we built: [brief highlight]. I'm now exploring opportunities in [target area]. If you're hiring for [roles] or know someone who is, I'd love to connect."
"Shopify restructured its partnerships division in January 2026, and my role was eliminated along with much of the team. I'm proud of the work I did there, particularly [specific achievement]. I'm now looking for opportunities where I can apply my experience in [relevant skills]."
Then pivot to what you bring and why you're interested in the role. For more guidance, see interview preparation tips.
Layoffs are stressful, even at a company that's been through multiple rounds of cuts. The uncertainty, the disruption to routine, and the loss of work you cared about all take a toll.
Layoffs take a real toll. Talk to people you trust, keep basic routines, connect with others affected, and use any Employee Assistance Program available. Support and structure help stabilize the transition.
Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, and Montreal all have tech communities with informal support networks. LinkedIn groups, Slack communities, and local meetups can provide both job leads and emotional support.
Many regions have free or low-cost mental health resources. These services exist for situations like this.
If turning your Shopify partnerships experience into a clear, employer-ready resume feels overwhelming, Yotru's resume builder can help with that specific task. The tool is designed to help you articulate achievements, adapt your resume for different roles, and create ATS-friendly formatting.
Being laid off from Shopify is painful, especially if you cared about the work and the people. But the skills you built in partnerships, ecosystem development, and platform go-to-market are valuable across tech.
Small, consistent steps: file for EI, review your severance, update your resume, reach out to your network. You don't have to solve everything this week.
Your next role is out there.
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
We bring expertise in career education, workforce development, labor market research, and employability technology. We partner with training providers, career services teams, nonprofits, and public-sector organizations to turn research and policy into practical tools used in real employment and retraining programs. Our approach balances evidence and real hiring realities to support employability systems that work in practice. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Shopify described the cuts as part of a restructuring to start "a new chapter" in how it works with partners. The company is integrating partnerships more closely with product and community teams and focusing on initiatives like agentic commerce. Shopify has not disclosed detailed reasoning beyond this.
This guide is written for Shopify employees laid off from the partnerships division in January 2026, and for professionals at Shopify partner agencies impacted by related restructuring. It is intended for individuals navigating job loss, transition planning, and next steps.
This article is produced with a focus on accuracy, neutrality, and practical usefulness. Content is reviewed and updated as verified information changes, with care taken to avoid speculation, sensationalism, or unsupported claims.
Content is informed by publicly available reporting from reputable outlets, Shopify’s official communications, Canadian Employment Insurance documentation, and established career-transition and workforce development best practices.
This article is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Shopify, any union, or any government agency. It provides general informational guidance only and does not constitute legal, financial, or employment advice. Consult official sources and qualified professionals for your specific situation.
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