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Thesius Code

Posted on • Originally published at datanest-stores.pages.dev

Cart Abandonment Recovery: Shopping Cart Abandonment Recovery

#ecommerce #python #analytics #business

Shopping Cart Abandonment Recovery

Detect abandoned carts in real-time, trigger multi-step email recovery sequences, configure retargeting pixels, and track recovery analytics. Recapture 10-15% of lost revenue automatically.

Key Features

  • Cart Detection — Identify abandoned carts based on inactivity timeout and exit signals
  • Email Sequences — Multi-step recovery emails with configurable timing and content
  • Retargeting Integration — Pixel firing for ad platform retargeting audiences
  • Incentive Engine — Progressive discounts (no discount → 5% → 10% + free shipping)
  • Recovery Analytics — Track recovery rate, revenue recaptured, and sequence performance
  • A/B Testing — Test subject lines, timing, and discount levels

Quick Start 

# 1. Extract and configure
unzip shopping-cart-abandonment.zip
cd shopping-cart-abandonment
cp config.example.yaml config.yaml

# 2. Start monitoring for abandoned carts
python -m cart_abandonment.core --monitor --config config.yaml

# 3. View recovery stats
python -m cart_abandonment.core --stats --period 2026-03
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Architecture 

src/cart_abandonment/
├── core.py              # Detection engine and recovery orchestrator
├── detector.py          # Cart activity monitoring, timeout logic
├── sequences.py         # Email sequence builder and scheduler
├── incentives.py        # Progressive discount and coupon generation
├── retargeting.py       # Pixel event firing for ad platforms
├── analytics.py         # Recovery rate, revenue, and funnel metrics
└── utils.py             # Email templating, URL shortening, hashing
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Recovery Flow: Cart Created → Inactivity Detected → Email #1 (1hr) → Email #2 (24hr) → Email #3 (72hr + discount)

Usage Examples

Detect Abandoned Carts 

from cart_abandonment.detector import CartDetector

detector = CartDetector(
    timeout_minutes=30,
    exclude_logged_out=False,
    min_cart_value=10.00
)

abandoned = detector.scan()
print(f"Found {len(abandoned)} abandoned carts worth ${sum(c['cart_value'] for c in abandoned):,.2f}")

for cart in abandoned[:3]:
    print(f"  Cart {cart['cart_id']}: ${cart['cart_value']:.2f}, "
          f"abandoned {cart['minutes_ago']} min ago")
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Configure Recovery Sequence 

from cart_abandonment.sequences import RecoverySequence

sequence = RecoverySequence(steps=[
    {"delay_minutes": 60,   "subject": "You left something behind!",
     "template": "reminder_gentle",    "discount": None},
    {"delay_minutes": 1440, "subject": "Your cart is waiting",
     "template": "reminder_urgency",   "discount": None},
    {"delay_minutes": 4320, "subject": "Last chance — 10% off your cart",
     "template": "reminder_incentive", "discount": {"type": "percent", "value": 10}},
])
sequence.activate()
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Recovery Analytics Query 

-- Cart abandonment recovery funnel
SELECT
    DATE_TRUNC('week', c.abandoned_at)             AS week,
    COUNT(*)                                        AS total_abandoned,
    SUM(c.cart_value)                              AS abandoned_value,
    SUM(CASE WHEN c.recovery_status = 'recovered'
             THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)                    AS recovered_count,
    SUM(CASE WHEN c.recovery_status = 'recovered'
             THEN c.cart_value ELSE 0 END)         AS recovered_value,
    ROUND(SUM(CASE WHEN c.recovery_status = 'recovered'
                   THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) * 100.0
          / NULLIF(COUNT(*), 0), 1)                AS recovery_rate_pct
FROM abandoned_carts c
WHERE c.abandoned_at >= CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '90 days'
GROUP BY DATE_TRUNC('week', c.abandoned_at)
ORDER BY week DESC;
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Email Sequence Performance 

from cart_abandonment.analytics import RecoveryAnalytics

analytics = RecoveryAnalytics(config_path="config.yaml")
report = analytics.sequence_performance(period="2026-03")

for step in report["steps"]:
    print(f"Step {step['step_number']} ({step['delay']}): "
          f"sent={step['sent']}, opened={step['open_rate']:.1%}, "
          f"clicked={step['click_rate']:.1%}, recovered={step['recoveries']}")
# Step 1 (1hr):  sent=1200, opened=45.2%, clicked=12.1%, recovered=89
# Step 2 (24hr): sent=980,  opened=38.7%, clicked=9.8%,  recovered=52
# Step 3 (72hr): sent=820,  opened=42.1%, clicked=15.3%, recovered=71
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Configuration 

detection:
  timeout_minutes: 30              # Minutes of inactivity = abandoned
  min_cart_value: 10.00            # Ignore carts below this value
  check_interval_minutes: 5       # How often to scan for abandoned carts

sequence:
  max_emails: 3                    # Maximum emails per abandoned cart
  respect_unsubscribe: true        # Honor email opt-out preferences
  suppress_if_purchased: true      # Stop sequence if customer buys
  steps:
    - { delay_minutes: 60,   template: "reminder_gentle",    discount: null }
    - { delay_minutes: 1440, template: "reminder_urgency",   discount: null }
    - { delay_minutes: 4320, template: "reminder_incentive", discount: { type: "percent", value: 10 } }

retargeting:
  enabled: true
  platforms:
    - { name: "google_ads", pixel_id: "YOUR_GOOGLE_ADS_PIXEL" }
    - { name: "meta",       pixel_id: "YOUR_META_PIXEL_ID" }

email:
  provider: "smtp"
  from_address: "store@example.com"
  smtp_host: "smtp.example.com"
  smtp_port: 587
  smtp_user: "YOUR_SMTP_USER"
  smtp_password: "YOUR_SMTP_PASSWORD"
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Best Practices

  1. Send the first email within 1 hour — Recovery rates drop sharply after 2 hours
  2. Don't lead with discounts — First email should be a gentle reminder, no incentive
  3. Limit to 3 emails — More than 3 recovery emails leads to unsubscribes
  4. Show cart contents — Include product images and names in every email
  5. A/B test aggressively — Subject lines and send timing have the biggest impact
  6. Suppress on purchase — Always stop the sequence if the customer completes checkout

Troubleshooting

Issue Cause Fix
No abandoned carts detected Timeout too long Reduce timeout_minutes to 30
Emails not sending SMTP credentials wrong Test with --test-email flag
Low open rates Subject lines too generic A/B test with personalized subjects
Customers receiving emails after purchase Suppression not enabled Set suppress_if_purchased: true
Recovery rate below 5% Sequence timing too slow Send first email at 30-60 minutes

This is 1 of 11 resources in the Retail Automation Pro toolkit. Get the complete [Cart Abandonment Recovery] with all files, templates, and documentation for $29.

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