In the latest episode of The FODcast, we were delighted to be joined by Teemu Tolonen, CCO at Woolman, to unpack one of the biggest shifts in digital commerce: how Shopify has quietly become a serious contender in enterprise retail.

As part of Europe’s largest Shopify Plus agency, Teemu brings first-hand insight into what’s driving this change and how retailers are rethinking their technology strategies.

We cover:

• How Shopify’s semi-composable architecture delivers flexibility without complexity
• Why major retailers are seeing considerable cost savings when switching to Shopify Plus
• What brands need to know before migrating - from data readiness to project teams
• How unified customer data is finally solving retail’s online/offline disconnect
• Where AI fits into the future of enterprise commerce

Teemu’s message is clear: Shopify isn’t just for start-ups anymore - it’s reshaping the way global retailers approach technology and growth.

If you’re evaluating your commerce stack or tracking retail tech trends, this one’s a must-listen.

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

Is Replatforming Dead? Why Retailers Are Taking a More Targeted Approach to Tech Investment

In the latest episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by Tal Ofer, Senior Partnerships Director at Cloudinary and Co-Founder of the MACH Alliance Community Council, to unpack the reality of tech decision-making in retail right now.

With over 15 years shaping global eCommerce strategies, Tal brings a straight-talking perspective on where retailers are really investing - and where the hype doesn’t match the reality.

We get into:

• Why large-scale replatforming is on pause for many brands
• The shift towards targeted, ROI-driven tech projects
• How personalisation and loyalty are driving customer lifetime value
• The rise of composable architecture, and why it’s not for everyone
• Why speaking to those who’ve actually implemented MACH principles is a must

As Tal explains: unless your system is completely broken, you’re not going to rush to change it. Retailers want technology that delivers value- fast.

If you’re navigating margin pressure, evolving customer expectations, or considering how composable commerce fits into your business, this episode offers clear, practical advice.

Sit back, tune in, and enjoy!

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

The death of the high street? Not quite.

In this episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by James O’Hare - Area VP UK at Sitoo – to explore why physical retail isn’t dying, it’s evolving.

From in-store gyms and juice bars to immersive tent villages, retailers creating memorable, experience-led spaces are thriving. And behind it all? A shift from disconnected systems to unified commerce, where real-time data powers seamless, personalised shopping.

We cover a LOT in this episode, including:

• Why in-person shopping still accounts for 75–80% of retail sales
• The admin load facing store staff (and how tech is changing that)
• What unified commerce really means (and why it’s more than just omnichannel)
• Surprising data gaps between UK and Swedish retail
• How smarter POS systems are freeing staff to serve customers

James brings sharp insight and real-world examples that every retail leader should hear.

Take a walk, grab a coffee, and tune in.

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

Legacy Systems Meet AI: Can B2B Can Bridge the Gap?

The B2B sector is standing at a crossroads. On one side: faxes, spreadsheets, and legacy systems. On the other: AI-powered smart agents and instant order processing.

In this episode of The FODcast, Aidan McGaughey – EMEA Country Manager at OroCommerce shares how B2B businesses can navigate this tension, and unlock meaningful value from AI without falling for the hype.

We dig into:

• How AI is already delivering value in B2B – from OCR-powered order processing to smart agents for customer queries
• Why foundational product data is the real key to AI success
• The rise of digital-first buyers – and the pressure for Amazon-like experiences
• Why pilot projects beat wholesale AI rollouts every time
• The evolving role of community, knowledge-sharing, and the human touch in B2B

Aidan makes a compelling case for starting small, thinking strategically, and building from a solid data core.

If you’re balancing digital ambition with operational reality in the B2B space, this episode is packed with practical advice to move forward, not just faster, but smarter.

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

"If you touch it, you can trust it."

In this episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by Steven Irwin – Chief Commercial & Technology Officer at Vivobarefoot - to explore how today’s most progressive D2C brands are blending technology, purpose, and people to drive long-term growth.

With leadership experience at ASICS, Hunter Boots, Wolverine Worldwide, and more, Steve brings a unique, cross-functional perspective on what it takes to build authentic, resilient brands in an increasingly complex digital world.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How Vivobarefoot’s ReVivo and community initiatives are redefining what post-purchase brand engagement looks like
• The rise of sustainable commerce - and why it's more than a marketing trend
• What the pandemic taught us about omnichannel agility and real-world connection
• Why purpose-led brand identity is your most defensible asset in a noisy market

If you're navigating D2C growth, scaling ecommerce infrastructure, or want to better align digital strategy with values and community impact, this one’s a must-listen.

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

In this episode of The FODcast, Matt Parkinson - Founder of GENE Commerce and co-founder of Shopthru and BlueFinch - cuts through the hype to share a candid, insider’s view of the Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) ecosystem.

While some in the industry claim Magento’s time has passed, Matt sets the record straight. With an estimated 8–12% market share among top-tier retailers, Adobe Commerce continues to serve businesses that need deep flexibility and control.

With two decades in e-commerce tech, Matt shares insights you won’t find on LinkedIn:

• The evolution of Magento through multiple ownership change- and why the community is its greatest strength
• What Adobe’s new SaaS approach means for developers, agencies, and enterprise brands
• The danger of trend-chasing: from PWA to MACH and why some “modern” strategies lead to complexity and debt
• Why checkout optimisation - often overlooked - can deliver double-digit conversion gains
• A look at Shopthru’s vision for embedded commerce and the future of buying at the point of discovery

Whether you’re navigating platform strategy, eyeing digital transformation, or just want a brutally honest take from someone who's seen it all, this episode is packed with practical lessons.

🎧 Tune in now!

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

The e-commerce platform market is evolving - and fast.

Gone are the days of two-year projects and monolithic systems. Today’s businesses demand flexibility, speed, and the right balance between out-of-the-box functionality and best-of-breed integrations.

In this episode of The FODcast, Jochen Binder, Head of Backend and Data Solutions at diva-e, takes us inside the latest trends shaping the future of digital commerce.

With over two decades of experience across B2B and B2C digital transformation, Jochen shares why some platforms are thriving while others are losing relevance - and why even MACH-first strategies aren’t immune to challenges. His real-world insights cover:

• Why Germany’s “hidden champions” are quietly leading B2B digital innovation
• The future of MACH architecture - and why pragmatic hybrid models are on the rise
• Emerging players to watch like VTEX and Scayle
• Why AI and B2B loyalty programmes are set to reshape commerce strategies
• The shifting dynamics of a post-pandemic platform market

If you're selecting a platform, planning a digital transformation, or just want a real-world view of what’s next in commerce tech, don’t miss this candid conversation.

#DigitalCommerce #B2BCommerce #PlatformStrategy #FODcastSeason7 #EcommerceTrends #AIinCommerce

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

We’re excited to announce the launch of Season 7 of The FODcast! This season brings you fresh insights from top industry leaders, innovators, and experts. As always, we’re exploring the latest trends, strategies, and challenges in the digital commerce space.

Our global audience continues to grow, with listeners tuning in from across the UK, the United States, Germany, Brazil, and even places as far afield as Japan and Australia. Whether you're in retail, tech, or any industry at the intersection of digital transformation, this latest season will have something for you.

New Episode: Simon Hamblin on the Secrets of Successful Digital Transformation

To kick off the new season, we sit down with Simon Hamblin, co-founder of fusefabric, Shopify's largest enterprise partner in Europe, to discuss why technology-led projects fail so often and what it takes to get digital transformation right.

Simon’s career is nothing short of impressive, with past roles such as scaling ASOS technology during its billion-pound growth phase, leading global technology at Emirates Group, and overseeing 30 travel brands worldwide. He brings invaluable experience from his work in diverse industries, including retail, travel, and finance.

In this episode, Simon explains why business leadership, not technology, must drive transformation. He highlights the importance of aligning technology with business needs and dives into the discovery process that sets successful projects in motion.

Simon also shares how fusefabric’s approach, including the rapid migration of a multi-million-pound business to Shopify in just eight days, challenges conventional thinking and ensures digital transformations succeed where others fail.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable takeaways.

#DigitalTransformation #AIinRetail #Shopify #TechLeadership #FODcastSeason7

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/