Glossary
What is an abandoned cart? E-commerce definition
June 4, 2026
An abandoned cart (abandoned cart) is the shopping cart left open by a visitor who has not finalized their order: products, quantities, amount and sometimes contact details (email) remain saved in the store. Unlike the cart abandonment rate (metric), the abandoned cart is a concrete object that the merchant can view in the admin and target via an abandoned cart recovery email.
Summary
Definition: abandoned cart, shopping bag and incomplete checkout
In e-commerce, the abandoned cart refers to the state of a shopping cart (or checkout) not converted into an order. The system retains the contents as long as the session or checkout token remains valid.
Typically recorded elements. Products: references, variants (size, color), quantities. Amount: subtotal, applied discounts, estimated costs. Customer identifier: email entered at checkout, logged-in account, or anonymous session cookie. Recovery URL: direct link to reopen the checkout where the customer left off. Timestamp: creation date and last activity.
Useful distinctions. Abandoned cart vs shopping cart abandonment: the cart = the state of the shopping cart; abandonment = the behavior and the measured rate. Abandoned cart vs abandoned checkout: did the customer only add items to the cart page, or did they start the checkout (often with email captured)? Abandoned cart vs recovery campaign: the cart is the data; the recovery campaign is the marketing action (email, SMS) to recover it.
In the same spirit, Abandoned cart vs wishlist: the wishlist is intentional and long-term; abandonment is an interrupted purchasing journey.
Why the abandoned cart is important for the merchant
Each abandoned cart represents a partial purchase intent: the visitor has selected products, sometimes entered their email, and then left. For the store, this is a measurable opportunity.
The essential points to remember are as follows. Recoverable revenue: a portion of the carts can be converted through follow-ups or the customer's spontaneous return. Product signal: the most frequently abandoned items reveal obstacles (price, stock, incomplete product page). Segmentation: cart value, new vs. recurring customer, traffic source. Proactive support: a high-value cart may justify direct contact or a chat response before expiration. CRO Steering: correlating abandoned carts with the user journey (mobile, promo code, delivery) completes the analysis of the conversion rate.
Without an email or an account, the cart often remains anonymous: you see the event in analytics, but you cannot follow up. This is why it is beneficial to capture the email early (checkout, measured pop-in) or to offer a seamless guest checkout to maximize direct conversions.
Abandoned carts on Shopify
Shopify primarily distinguishes abandoned checkouts, accessible in the admin under Orders > Abandoned Checkouts (Shopify Help Center).
Native features. Checkout list: email, amount, recovery status, date. Automated recovery email: Shopify can send a reminder (configurable delay, customizable content). Checkout link: unique URL to resume payment with the same cart. Export and apps: Klaviyo, Omnisend, etc. synchronize abandoned checkouts for advanced flows (marketing automation).
Limitations to note. Abandonments before checkout (cart only) do not always generate an email in the admin; they typically appear in analytics or via cart apps. An abandoned checkout can become an order if the customer returns via the link or completes it later. Stock and price: if an item is out of stock or the price has changed, the resumed checkout may differ from the initial cart.
Shopify Email and third-party integrations allow for multi-step sequences (product reminder, social proof, shipping incentive) without leaving the store's ecosystem.
In summary
The essential points to remember are as follows. Abandoned cart = unfinished basket or checkout, recorded in the system. Distinct from abandonment rate (metric) and recovery/follow-up (marketing action). Contains products, amount, sometimes email and recovery URL. Shopify: abandoned checkouts in the admin, native recovery emails. Leverage via email flows, product analysis, and checkout journey optimization.
Associated terms, FAQ, and resources
Associated Terms
Cart abandonment: phenomenon and calculation of the rate.
Abandoned cart recovery: emails and SMS to recover the cart.
Checkout: step where the email is often captured.
Cart page: first step before payment.
FAQ
Where can I see abandoned carts on Shopify?
In the admin: Orders > Abandoned Checkouts. There you will find email, amount, status, and the possibility to manually send a recovery email.
Can we follow up without an email?
With difficulty via email. Without contact details, the only options left are cookie restoration (same browser), retargeting ads (pixel), or SMS if the number was entered at checkout.
How long does a cart remain available?
It depends on the platform, session, and apps. On Shopify, the abandoned checkout link remains usable as long as the checkout is valid (inventory, price, shop configuration). Test the recovery after 48 hours on your main products.
Abandoned cart and abandoned checkout: same thing?
In common terms, yes for the merchant. Technically, the abandoned checkout is the most exploitable Shopify record because it often includes the email and a direct payment link.
Going further
Enzo
13 May 2026
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