10 High-Converting Drip Campaign Examples for Shopify Stores in 2026

Automated email sequences, also known as drip campaigns, are the powerhouse of e-commerce marketing. They work around the clock to nurture leads, convert prospects, and build lasting customer relationships-all without requiring your constant attention. Think of them as your most reliable salesperson, guiding every subscriber on a personalized journey from their first click to becoming a loyal, repeat buyer. While the concept is straightforward, building effective sequences from scratch can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What should you say? And how do you know if it's working?

This guide cuts through the complexity. We are providing a detailed blueprint for 10 essential drip campaign examples specifically designed for Shopify stores. You won't find vague theories here. Instead, you'll get a complete, actionable playbook for each campaign, including:

• Strategic Objective: What the campaign is designed to achieve.

• Target Audience: Who should receive these emails.

• Email Flow & Timing: A step-by-step sequence map.

• Copy & Subject Lines: Ready-to-use ideas to get you started.

• KPIs to Track: How to measure success effectively.

Each example is designed to be a replicable model you can implement immediately. For a broader understanding of the digital retail landscape that these automated sales blueprints operate within, exploring general e-commerce strategies can provide valuable context. We'll also provide tips on how tools like Email Wiz can set up these powerful automations in just a few clicks. Let's dive into the specific drip campaign examples that will transform your store's customer engagement and drive revenue on autopilot.

1. Welcome Series for New Subscribers

A welcome series is the first automated email conversation you have with a new subscriber. This multi-email sequence, triggered immediately after someone signs up, is your golden opportunity to make a strong first impression. Instead of just sending a one-off confirmation, this drip campaign example nurtures the relationship over 7-14 days, guiding the lead from initial interest to their first purchase.

This initial sequence is crucial because subscriber engagement is never higher than in the first 48 hours. Brands like Glossier excel by leading with community-focused content and brand aesthetics, while Allbirds uses their welcome flow to highlight their commitment to sustainability. The goal is to build trust and affinity before aggressively pushing a sale.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Convert new subscribers into first-time customers and introduce brand identity.

• Target Segment: All new email or SMS subscribers who have not yet made a purchase.

• Timing/Flow: 3-5 emails sent over 7-10 days. The first email should be sent instantly, with subsequent emails spaced 1-3 days apart.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To replicate this, start by defining your core brand message. What makes you different? Lead with that story in your first email. Follow up by showcasing best-selling products or social proof.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Offer a Hook: Include a time-sensitive incentive (e.g., 15% off for 48 hours) in the first or second email to create urgency.

• Segment Your Welcome: In Email Wiz, create separate welcome flows based on the signup source (e.g., pop-up, checkout, blog post). This allows for more personalized messaging.

• Personalize Heavily: Use the subscriber's first name in the subject line and body copy. This simple step can significantly boost open rates.

• Focus on Value: Before asking for the sale, provide value by sharing your brand mission, user-generated content, or helpful tips related to your products. This builds a foundation of trust that pays off long-term.

2. Abandoned Cart Recovery Campaign

An abandoned cart recovery campaign is a time-sensitive, automated email sequence triggered when a shopper adds items to their cart but leaves the site without purchasing. This drip campaign example is one of the highest-impact automations for any Shopify store, designed to recapture lost revenue by reminding customers about the products they were just moments away from buying. It typically involves 2-4 emails sent over 24-72 hours, often with escalating urgency and incentives.

This sequence is a non-negotiable for e-commerce because it addresses high-intent prospects who have already shown clear interest. Brands like Warby Parker leverage this by personalizing reminders based on product category, while Fashion Nova uses aggressive, time-sensitive offers to create urgency. The goal isn't just to recover a sale; it's to overcome the final friction point, whether it's distraction, shipping costs, or price hesitation.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Recover lost sales from high-intent shoppers who abandoned their carts.

• Target Segment: Customers who have added a product to their cart and started the checkout process but did not complete the purchase.

• Timing/Flow: 2-4 emails sent over 24-72 hours. The first email is critical and should be sent within 1-3 hours of abandonment.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To implement this, focus on a frictionless path back to the cart. Your emails should be a direct, helpful reminder that makes it as easy as possible to complete the purchase. The key is to blend a helpful tone with subtle urgency.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Lead Without a Discount: Test sending the first email as a simple reminder. Many customers just need a nudge, and you can save your discounts for more hesitant shoppers in later emails.

• Use Dynamic Content: In Email Wiz, configure your abandoned cart flow to automatically pull in the exact product images, names, and prices from the shopper's cart. This level of personalization is crucial for high conversion.

• Optimize for Mobile: Over 60% of abandoned cart emails are opened on mobile devices. Ensure your design is clean, responsive, and features a single, prominent call-to-action button.

• Build Social Proof: Include customer reviews or star ratings for the abandoned items directly in the email. This reinforces the purchase decision and builds trust at a critical moment. Learn more about how to reduce cart abandonment and win back lost sales.

3. Browse Abandonment Campaign

A browse abandonment campaign is a subtle yet powerful follow-up sequence for users who view products but leave without adding anything to their cart. Unlike a cart abandonment flow, this drip campaign example is triggered by intent signals like specific product or category page views. It gently nudges indecisive shoppers back to your store, re-engaging them before they forget what caught their eye.

This tactic addresses the top of the sales funnel, where shoppers are still in the "consideration" phase. Brands like Anthropologie use beautiful lifestyle imagery to inspire, while ASOS leverages personalized recommendations based on browsing history. The key is to be helpful and inspirational, not overly aggressive, reminding them of the items they showed interest in.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Re-engage high-intent visitors and guide them back to your site to continue their shopping journey.

• Target Segment: Logged-in users or known subscribers who have viewed specific product pages but did not add an item to their cart or start checkout.

• Timing/Flow: 2-3 emails sent over 3-7 days. The first email should be delayed 18-24 hours to avoid feeling intrusive.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To implement this, you'll need a tool that can track on-site behavior. The goal is to remind, not pressure. Your emails should feel like a helpful concierge suggesting items they might have missed.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Lead with Inspiration: Frame the email around benefits and style. Subject lines like "Still Thinking It Over?" or "Did You See Something You Liked?" work well.

• Showcase Browsed Items: Use dynamic content blocks to automatically pull in the exact products the user viewed. High-quality imagery is non-negotiable here.

• Add Social Proof: Include star ratings, customer reviews, or a "Bestseller" badge on the viewed items to build confidence and reduce purchase anxiety.

• Segment by Category: In Email Wiz, create separate browse abandonment flows for different product categories (e.g., shoes vs. tops). This ensures the messaging and related product recommendations are highly relevant.

4. Post-Purchase Thank You & Onboarding Series

The post-purchase drip campaign is one of the most valuable yet underutilized automations. Triggered immediately after a customer completes a purchase, this sequence shifts the focus from conversion to retention and brand building. Instead of ending the conversation at the transactional "Order Confirmed" email, this flow extends the customer experience over the next 1-2 weeks, reinforcing their purchase decision and paving the way for a long-term relationship.

This period is critical for reducing buyer's remorse and building advocacy. Brands like Dollar Shave Club use their signature humor to keep customers engaged, while Bombas shares community impact stories related to the purchase. The goal is to make the customer feel valued and smart for choosing you, transforming a simple transaction into the beginning of a brand journey. This is a prime example of a drip campaign that nurtures loyalty.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Increase customer lifetime value (LTV), reduce returns, and encourage repeat purchases by providing value post-sale.

• Target Segment: All first-time and repeat customers immediately after they make a purchase.

• Timing/Flow: 3-4 emails sent over 14 days. The sequence starts instantly with an order confirmation and continues with shipping updates, product education, and a brand story.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

Begin by mapping out the customer's post-purchase journey. What information do they need immediately? What will enhance their product experience once it arrives? This flow is your opportunity to guide them and deepen their connection with your brand.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Prioritize Logistics: Your first emails must provide clear order confirmation and shipping updates. Include tracking links and expected delivery dates prominently to build trust.

• Educate and Onboard: Create content that helps customers get the most out of their new product. This could be a "how-to" guide, care instructions, or styling tips.

• Personalize Content: In Email Wiz, use dynamic content blocks to show product-specific tips based on the items in the customer's order.

• Strengthen Brand Connection: Use one of the emails to share your brand's mission, a founder's story, or user-generated content. This builds an emotional bond beyond the transaction itself.

5. Winback/Re-engagement Campaign for Inactive Customers

A winback or re-engagement campaign is an automated email sequence designed to reactivate customers who have gone dormant. Triggered after a specific period of inactivity (e.g., 90-180 days without a purchase), this drip campaign example is a cost-effective strategy to reclaim lost revenue and prevent customer churn before it becomes permanent.

This type of campaign is a retention marketing staple for a reason: acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing one. Subscription services like Blue Apron excel at this by offering compelling "come back" discounts, while brands like Stitch Fix re-engage users by highlighting personalized product recommendations based on past preferences. The goal is to remind inactive customers of the value you offer and give them a compelling reason to return.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Reactivate dormant customers and reduce overall list churn.

• Target Segment: Customers who have not purchased in a predefined period (e.g., 90, 120, or 180 days).

• Timing/Flow: 2-4 emails sent over 1-2 weeks. The sequence should stop immediately if the customer makes a purchase.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To build an effective winback flow, first identify the appropriate inactivity window for your business based on your average purchase cycle. Then, craft a sequence that escalates the incentive or changes the appeal with each email, from a simple "we miss you" to a final, compelling offer.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Segment by Inactivity: Create different winback flows in Email Wiz for various inactivity lengths. A customer who last bought 90 days ago may need a different message than one who has been dormant for 180+ days.

• Personalize the Hook: Use dynamic content to feature product recommendations based on their past purchase history. A subject line like "Is it time for more [Product Name]?" is highly effective.

• Test Emotional vs. Discount Angles: A/B test a subject line like "We miss you, [First Name]" against "Here's 20% off to come back." You might be surprised which one performs better for your audience.

• Ask for Feedback: In the final email of the sequence, include a link to a short survey asking why they haven't purchased. This provides invaluable data for improving your customer experience, even if you don't win them back.

6. Product Launch Announcement Campaign

A product launch announcement is a strategic, multi-email drip campaign designed to build anticipation and drive sales for a new product or collection. This sequence moves beyond a single "it's here" email, creating a narrative that educates, excites, and primes your audience to buy the moment the product goes live. It's a powerful tool for concentrating demand into a short, high-impact window.

This type of drip campaign example is perfected by tech giants like Apple, who create massive hype cycles for every new iPhone, and DTC darlings like Glossier, who use community-driven teasers to make launches feel like an exclusive event. The core principle is to transform a simple product release into a must-see moment, ensuring your most engaged customers are ready to purchase on day one.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Maximize day-one sales for a new product by building hype, educating subscribers, and creating urgency.

• Target Segment: Engaged subscribers, past purchasers, and a specific VIP segment for early access.

• Timing/Flow: 3-4 emails sent over 7-10 days. The sequence typically includes a teaser, a "coming soon" reveal, the official launch, and a "last chance" follow-up.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To build an effective launch sequence, map out your narrative. Start by hinting at a problem your new product solves, then reveal the solution, and finally, drive action with a clear call to purchase. This storytelling approach generates far more engagement than a simple announcement.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Build an Early Access List: Use a teaser email to drive sign-ups for a "VIP early access" list. This not only builds anticipation but also creates a highly motivated segment for your launch-day email.

• Use Countdown Timers: In Email Wiz, embed a dynamic countdown timer in your pre-launch and launch-day emails to visually reinforce urgency and scarcity.

• Coordinate Across Channels: Align your email send times with your social media announcements and paid ad campaigns. A unified, multi-channel push amplifies your message and creates a sense of ubiquity.

• Focus on the "Why": Your emails should detail the problems the product solves, its unique features, and the benefits it provides. Go beyond just saying "it's new" and explain why it's essential for your customer.

7. Seasonal and Holiday Campaign Series

A seasonal or holiday campaign is a time-bound drip sequence designed to capitalize on peak shopping periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Valentine's Day. Unlike evergreen flows, this campaign leverages existing consumer buying intent and a sense of urgency. It's a high-stakes, high-reward drip campaign example that can drive a significant portion of annual revenue in just a few weeks.

This strategy involves a multi-stage approach, starting with early awareness and building to last-chance reminders. Brands like Everlane use these campaigns to run transparent promotions with honest storytelling, while others use them to clear seasonal inventory. The goal is to create a compelling, time-sensitive narrative that guides subscribers from browsing to buying.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Maximize revenue during key shopping holidays and clear seasonal stock.

• Target Segment: All subscribers, with sub-segments for VIPs (early access), recent purchasers, and those who engaged but didn't buy.

• Timing/Flow: 4-6 emails sent over 7-21 days. The campaign typically starts with a teaser, followed by the main launch, mid-sale reminders, and final "last chance" emails.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To execute this, plan your campaign at least 4-6 weeks in advance. Define your offers, segment your audience, and map out your entire email and SMS schedule.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Segment Your Offers: Create segments for different customer groups. In Email Wiz, you can set up a "VIP Early Access" segment to give your best customers the first look at holiday deals, making them feel valued.

• Build Anticipation: Don't jump straight to the discount. Use the first email to announce that a sale is coming, share gift guides, or offer styling tips. This warms up your audience for the main event.

• Create Urgency: Incorporate countdown timers and low-stock alerts in your final emails. Phrases like "Ending Tonight" or "Last Chance" in the subject line create a powerful, conversion-driving urgency.

• Coordinate Channels: Your holiday push shouldn't live in email alone. Ensure your messaging is consistent across SMS, social media ads, and your website banner for a cohesive and impactful campaign.

8. Educational Content and Value-First Email Series

An educational content series is a drip campaign that prioritizes value over sales. Instead of pushing products, this sequence delivers helpful tips, tutorials, guides, and industry insights. This approach positions your brand as a trusted authority and builds a strong, loyal community around your niche. By educating subscribers, you create a foundation of trust that makes the eventual sales pitch feel natural and earned.

This strategy is a cornerstone for content-driven brands. For instance, luggage brand Away shares travel guides and packing tips, while eyewear company Warby Parker offers content on vision health. The goal is to become an indispensable resource, so when the subscriber is ready to buy, your brand is the obvious choice. This is one of the most effective long-term drip campaign examples for nurturing leads.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Build brand authority, establish trust, and nurture leads by providing high-value, non-promotional content.

• Target Segment: New subscribers who may not be ready to buy, or existing customers interested in learning more about your niche.

• Timing/Flow: 3-6 emails sent over 2-4 weeks. The cadence can be once or twice per week, establishing a consistent rhythm like a newsletter.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To build this, identify the core problems your customers face that your expertise can solve. Brainstorm content topics that offer genuine solutions, independent of your products. This creates a powerful exchange of value.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Lead with Value, Not Products: Your first few emails should contain zero product promotions. Focus entirely on helpful information, how-to guides, or industry insights.

• Segment by Interest: In Email Wiz, use tags to segment subscribers based on the content they engage with. This allows you to send more targeted educational tracks and product recommendations later on.

• Repurpose Existing Content: Leverage blog posts, YouTube videos, and guides you already have. Break down long-form content into a multi-part email series to maximize its reach.

• Introduce a Soft Sell Later: After delivering consistent value across several emails, you can introduce a relevant product as a solution to the problems you've been discussing. Frame it as the next logical step in their educational journey.

9. VIP / Loyalty Program Campaign

A VIP or loyalty program campaign is an automated sequence designed to reward and retain your most valuable customers. Instead of generic promotions, this drip campaign example delivers exclusive perks, early access, and personalized recognition to a brand's top spenders. This strategy deepens customer relationships, turning repeat buyers into passionate brand advocates.

This approach is powerful because it leverages the 80/20 rule: a small percentage of your customers often drive a majority of your revenue. Brands like Sephora with its Beauty Insider program excel by creating tiered benefits that motivate customers to spend more to unlock the next level. The goal is to make your best customers feel seen and valued, increasing their lifetime value and encouraging word-of-mouth marketing.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Increase customer retention, boost lifetime value (LTV), and foster brand advocacy among top-tier customers.

• Target Segment: Customers who meet specific criteria for high value, such as total spend, order frequency, or loyalty point accumulation.

• Timing/Flow: An ongoing series triggered when a customer enters the VIP segment. Key emails include a welcome-to-the-club message, exclusive early access announcements, and special birthday or anniversary rewards.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

To build this, first define what makes a customer a "VIP" for your brand. Is it a specific lifetime spending threshold or a certain number of purchases? Once defined, create automated flows that trigger when a customer meets that criteria.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Make Benefits Exclusive: Offer perks that aren't available to the general public, like early access to new products, free shipping on all orders, or a dedicated customer service line.

• Communicate Status: Send automated emails that notify customers when they are close to reaching VIP status or have unlocked a new tier. This gamifies the experience and encourages further spending.

• Automate in Email Wiz: Use Email Wiz to create a dynamic segment for your VIP customers based on Shopify purchase data. You can learn more about how to drive growth with smart segmentation here.

• Personalize Recognition: Go beyond a generic "Thanks for being a VIP." Use data to reference their favorite products or acknowledge their purchase history to make them feel truly special.

10. Back-in-Stock & Price Drop Alerts

Back-in-stock and price drop alerts are highly-effective, trigger-based drip campaigns that capitalize on existing customer intent. These automations notify subscribers the moment a coveted out-of-stock item is replenished or when a product they've shown interest in goes on sale. Because the audience has explicitly asked to be notified, these campaigns often boast some of the highest engagement and conversion rates of any marketing email.

This drip campaign example transforms potential lost sales into revenue by re-engaging shoppers at the peak of their interest. Brands like Gymshark use this to manage demand for high-heat product drops, while electronics retailers can use price drop alerts to convert shoppers who were waiting for a better deal. The key is turning a moment of disappointment (an item being unavailable) into a future sales opportunity.

Strategic Breakdown

• Objective: Recover lost sales and convert high-intent customers by automating product availability notifications.

• Target Segment: Customers who have subscribed to receive notifications for a specific out-of-stock or viewed product.

• Timing/Flow: A single, immediate email sent the moment the product's inventory is updated or its price is reduced. A follow-up reminder can be sent 24-48 hours later if the item is still in stock.

Actionable Takeaways & Setup

Implementing this requires an on-site 'Notify Me' feature for out-of-stock products and tracking customer view history for price drop alerts. This transactional-style email should be direct and action-oriented. For more tips on optimizing these messages, explore our guide on transactional email best practices.

Quick Setup Tips:

• Create Urgency: Frame the email with scarcity. Use copy like, "It's back, but it won't last long" and include social proof such as "150+ other people are also interested."

• Keep it Simple: The email design should be clean and focused. Feature a large, clear image of the product, the product name, the price, and a prominent "Shop Now" call-to-action button.

• Validate Inventory: In Email Wiz, set up a trigger condition that verifies the product's inventory level is greater than zero before the email is sent to avoid disappointing customers again.

• Combine with an Offer: For price drop alerts or high-value restocks, consider including a small, time-sensitive incentive like free shipping to accelerate the purchase decision.

10 Drip Campaign Examples Comparison

Turn These Examples Into Automated Revenue

We've explored ten powerful and diverse drip campaign examples, from the essential Welcome Series to the high-ROI Abandoned Cart flow and the loyalty-building VIP campaign. Each example serves as more than just a template; it's a strategic blueprint for communicating with your customers at precisely the right moment with the right message. The true power of these automated sequences lies in their ability to build relationships, drive sales, and create brand advocates without requiring your manual intervention for every single send.

The common thread connecting a successful Welcome Series to a potent Win-back Campaign is relevance. Customers today expect personalized, timely, and valuable communication. A generic blast won't cut it. The strategies outlined in this guide demonstrate how to segment your audience, time your messages with intent, and deliver content that genuinely helps, educates, or entices. This approach transforms your email list from a simple broadcast channel into a dynamic, revenue-generating asset.

From Blueprint to Action: Your Next Steps

The sheer number of possibilities can feel overwhelming, but progress is about starting smart, not doing everything at once. Your path to a fully automated email marketing engine should be incremental and data-driven.

Here is a practical roadmap to get you started:

1. Prioritize the "Money Makers": Begin with the highest-impact flows. For virtually every Shopify store, this means implementing the Welcome Series and the Abandoned Cart Recovery Campaign. These two sequences target highly engaged users at critical points in their journey and offer the fastest return on your time investment.

2. Move to Nurture and Retain: Once your core conversion flows are running, shift your focus to customer retention. Implement the Post-Purchase Thank You & Onboarding Series to reduce buyer's remorse and build immediate loyalty. Follow this with a Win-back Campaign to re-engage customers before they churn for good.

3. Expand and Optimize: With a solid foundation in place, you can begin layering in more sophisticated campaigns. Launch a Browse Abandonment flow to capture lost interest, a VIP Campaign to reward top spenders, and Product Launch announcements to generate excitement. Each new flow adds another layer of automated revenue to your business.

The Core Principle: Continuous Improvement

Remember, launching a drip campaign is not a "set it and forget it" task. It's the beginning of a continuous feedback loop. To truly turn these drip campaign examples into automated revenue, understanding the importance of Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) is crucial for maximizing their impact.

Regularly review your key performance indicators (KPIs) for each campaign. Are your open rates for the Welcome Series declining? It might be time to A/B test new subject lines. Is the click-through rate in your Abandoned Cart email low? Re-evaluate your call-to-action or the incentive you're offering. This iterative process of testing, learning, and refining is what separates good email marketing from great email marketing. By consistently tweaking your copy, design, timing, and offers based on real performance data, you ensure your automated engine is always running at peak efficiency, turning every email into a powerful opportunity for growth.

Ready to launch these proven drip campaigns without the manual setup? Email Wiz uses AI to instantly generate all the essential flows for your Shopify store, complete with expert-level copy, design, and strategy. Stop planning and start automating your revenue today with Email Wiz.