"Brands don't know what they don't know. A consultant makes teams think about things in detail. It's an education piece."

Francesca Raggio, Ecommerce Consultant, Vervaunt

This podcast features experts discussing the critical role of consultants in ecommerce website migrations. We share insights on project management, stakeholder engagement, technical discovery and how to avoid common pitfalls in replatforming projects.

The episode pools the replatforming experience of James Gurd with senior consultants from Vervaunt, Shamoli Miah (Operations Director) and Francesca Raggio (Ecommerce Specialist).

Having worked on a wide range of projects, they understand the real challenge isn’t about the tech; it’s the clarity, co-ordination and governance that enables multiple teams to function coherently together and handle the stresses that come with technology projects.

Some of the biggest surprises come from content audits and data structure planning - things that many teams underestimate and leave until it’s too late. When you try to migrate thousands of products or reimagine your digital experience without proper planning, the results can be costly.

Consultants are essential not just for technical expertise but for guiding teams through chaotic complexities: setting expectations, managing stakeholder alignment and ensuring you’re not flying blind.

The value lies in thorough pre-discovery, continuous education, and the ability to challenge assumptions with honest, evidence-based insights.

This isn’t about adding layers of bureaucracy; it’s about making the whole process smoother, more predictable and ultimately more successful.

Tune in for an objective view of what the role of an external consultant should be, and how to know whether you need to add one to your project team.

Chapters

[00:35] Introduction to Ecommerce Consulting and Migrations

[03:10] Understanding Replatforming Approaches

[06:15] The Importance of Pre-Discovery in Projects

[09:15] Common Challenges in Ecommerce Migrations

[12:15] The Role of Governance in Project Management

[15:10] Stakeholder Management and Accountability

[17:40] Content and Data Migration Challenges

[20:35] Planning for Successful Ecommerce Projects

[30:35] Navigating Technical Discovery

[40:00] Understanding User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

[49:05] Consultant Skills for Ecommerce Success

"The brands we work with are making up to 5% of their revenue from resale. Our model is peer-to-peer, so customers are buying and selling from each other via the brand's own marketplace."

Lydia Hartley, Co-Founder, Continue.

About this podcast:

Discover how Continue is helping brand-owned resale improve the way ecommerce businesses approach customer retention, loyalty and control over their secondary markets.

This episode dives into the commercial opportunities, technology and strategies behind implementing resale seamlessly within your brand ecosystem.

Key discussion points:

• The rapid growth and scale of resale platforms like Vinted, eBay and Depop, and why brands need to pay attention.
• How resale can drive up to 5% of revenue through repeat purchase and customer engagement.
• The power of resale for building emotional loyalty and community within brand ecosystems.
• Ways to integrate resale into loyalty programs, including exclusive marketplaces for VIP members.
• The importance of authenticating products and protecting consumers from counterfeit or poor quality items.
• Strategies for launching resale platforms quickly and effectively, with real examples.
• Addressing concerns about cannibalisation and margin erosion with credible data.
• The role of storytelling, digital marketing and community engagement in successful resale launches.
• Technical setup, including Shopify and Magento.

Chapters:

[00:35] Introduction to Marketplace Commerce and Resale

[03:02] Understanding Resale Platform Benefits & Market Opportunity

[08:55] Resale as a Retention Tool

[14:42] Debunking Cannibalisation Myths

[20:21] Integrating Resale into Loyalty Programs

[26:12] Building Trust and Moderating Bad Actors

[32:49] Challenges and Risks in Implementing Resale Strategies

[35:05] Effective Launch Strategies for Resale Platforms

[40:55] Customer Service and Brand Consistency

[42:58] Shipping Mechanisms in Resale Platforms

"The amount of clothing going to landfill every year is astronomical. The stat that always hits hardest is 6 in 10 items of clothing made end up in landfill within a year. When you start to process that, it's pretty wild, it's eye-opening."

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-commerce/

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

How Batch London Rewrites Fashion with Sustainability and Retail Innovation

James ran a panel with today's guest, Sam Matanle, at a Voyage in November 2025. He was impressed by the business story and positive mission to raise the standard of sustainability in the fashion industry, by reducing waste and overproduction, and knew Sam's story would resonate with our podcast audience.

For this episode, you’ll hear how two Uni friends quit their corporate roles to launch something they’re passionate about, and how they turned a vision into a successful business.

Sam is the co-founder of Batch London, and shares his perspective on how the brand is transforming the fashion industry through made-to-order apparel, innovative retail strategies and a strong focus on sustainability.

Discover how their approach is influencing consumer habits, retail environments and brand loyalty.

Key topics:

• The origin story behind BatchLDN and its mission to redefine fashion consumption.
• The benefits of made-to-order manufacturing in reducing waste and increasing quality.
• Strategies for creating versatile, multi-use clothing for smart casual wear.

• Opening a flagship store in Covent Garden and the impact on brand awareness and sales.
• The challenges and opportunities of retail expansion for smaller brands.
• Building a loyal community through memberships, events and innovative loyalty programs
• The importance of in-store experience and staff training for physical retail success
• Leveraging digital tools, agencies and website audits to optimise online presence.
• The evolving landscape of consumer consciousness, legislation and environmental responsibility.