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Handshake Alternative

Handshake Shut Down. Here's Where to Go.

Handshake closed in October 2023. Catalist covers what it offered — plus no minimums, enterprise documentation, and AI-native ordering.

Best Handshake alternative: Handshake shut down in October 2023. Catalist is an AI-native B2B marketplace offering 54,014 products with no minimum orders and enterprise-grade supply chain documentation — covering what Handshake buyers relied on, without a successor that may disappear next.

What Happened to Handshake?

Shopify acquired Handshake in 2019 for close to $100 million and ran it as a commission-free wholesale marketplace connecting Shopify brands with retail buyers. In October 2023, Shopify quietly retired Handshake after making a strategic investment in Faire and endorsing Faire as the recommended wholesale channel for Shopify merchants. Handshake storefronts, listings, and buyer accounts are no longer accessible.

Shopify pointed Handshake users to Faire. Faire focuses on boutique and indie brands with brand-set minimum orders, which leaves former Handshake buyers who need name-brand inventory, flexible order sizes, or enterprise documentation without a direct replacement.

Why Former Handshake Buyers Need a New Platform

1

availability

Retired by Shopify in October 2023 — storefronts, listings, and buyer accounts are no longer accessible

2

migration

Shopify endorsed Faire as the replacement, but Faire centers on indie brands with brand-set minimums rather than name-brand inventory

3

coverage

Even while operating, Handshake was US-only with limited categories and modest order volume for most brands

How Catalist Solves These Problems

No Minimum Orders

Order any quantity from 54,014 products. Order aggregation eliminates traditional MOQ barriers.

Enterprise Documentation

Manufacturer invoices, COAs, and full supply chain documentation with every order.

AI-Native Platform

Intelligent product recommendations, velocity insights, and compliance intelligence.

Modern Technology

Order online at b2b.catalistai.com. No legacy portals or phone ordering required.

Quick Comparison

Quick comparison between Catalist and Handshake across key features including minimum orders, brand access, and pricing
Catalist Handshake (shut down October 2023)
Minimum Orders None No longer available
Product Catalog 54,014 products 30,000+ products (historical)
Documentation Enterprise-grade Basic
AI Features AI-native platform Some

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Handshake?
Shopify acquired Handshake in 2019 for close to $100 million and ran it as a commission-free wholesale marketplace connecting Shopify brands with retail buyers. In October 2023, Shopify quietly retired Handshake after making a strategic investment in Faire and endorsing Faire as the recommended wholesale channel for Shopify merchants. Handshake storefronts, listings, and buyer accounts are no longer accessible.
What is the best alternative to Handshake now that it has shut down?
Catalist is an AI-native B2B marketplace that covers what former Handshake buyers relied on — broad selection and online ordering — plus no minimum orders, enterprise-grade documentation, and AI-native product recommendations across 54,014 products from 2,300+ brands.
How do former Handshake buyers get started on Catalist?
Apply to join at b2b.catalistai.com. Applications are reviewed within 48 hours. There is nothing to migrate from Handshake — start with your reorder list and Catalist's AI recommendations will surface comparable products.
What did Shopify recommend after shutting down Handshake?
Shopify endorsed Faire as the wholesale channel for Shopify merchants after making a strategic investment in Faire. Faire centers on boutique and indie brands with brand-set minimum orders, so former Handshake buyers who need name-brand inventory or flexible order sizes typically evaluate additional platforms such as Catalist, which has no minimum orders across 54,014 products.
Is Handshake coming back?
There is no indication Handshake will return. Shopify retired the marketplace in October 2023 and has since directed wholesale activity toward its Faire partnership. Former Handshake storefronts, listings, and buyer accounts are no longer accessible.

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Ready to Switch?

Join Catalist and access 54,014 products with no minimums and enterprise documentation.

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