The FODcast

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/

Before Season 7 lands... we're taking one last dive into the FODcast archives.

For our final re-run, we’re revisiting a conversation that happens to be our most viewed episode of all time on our YouTube channel.

Originally recorded and published in November 2024, this episode with Wendy Isaacs, Executive Director of Commerce and Experience Delivery at Valtech, still hits all the right notes for anyone navigating transformation in 2025.

Wendy’s journey - from the early days of CompuServe to leading cutting-edge digital strategy - offers powerful insights into change leadership. In this episode, she shares how successful transformation comes down to balancing people, culture, and strategic planning.

She also unpacks the difference between incremental and revolutionary change - an area that’s only grown more relevant with the rapid adoption of generative AI, evolving team structures, and the increasing pressure for businesses to adapt at speed.

Whether you’re a programme leader, a digital product owner, or someone driving culture change across your organisation, Wendy’s advice on strong programme management, effective product ownership, and building meaningful business partnerships remains essential listening.

#TheFODcast #FutureOfDigitalCommerce #ComposableCommerce #DigitalTransformation #ThrowbackThursday #Podcast

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/

As we continue our brief pause before the launch of Season 7, we're rewinding ever so slightly to bring you our most downloaded episode of all time!

This episode, recorded in September of last year, explores the fascinating rise of fractional hiring in digital commerce with guest Adrian Wakefield, co-founder of Digital Wow Group, who has over 35 years of experience in technology and digital transformations.

Adrian provides compelling insights into why businesses - especially in the mid-market - are increasingly turning to fractional C-level executives. Unlike traditional contracting, fractional leadership offers specialised expertise at critical junctures, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution. As Adrian puts it, "My definition of fractional is making yourself available at the point it's needed.”

In this episode, we explore how organisations can adapt their structures to accommodate fractional leadership, addressing challenges around line management while maximising the value of functional expertise.

Adrian also argues that fractional hiring represents a fundamental shift in how organisations access talent - a trend that will continue to reshape executive talent acquisition in digital commerce, even as economic conditions improve.

Whether you're considering fractional leadership for your business or exploring it as a career path, this episode is a must-listen for valuable perspectives on this growing trend.

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/

For our latest dig into the FODcast archives whilst we gear up for Season 7, we’re revisiting some of our most popular episodes and a topic of conversation that is still as relevant now as it was back in November 2023 when it was recorded.

This re-run episode features a candid conversation with David Hardiman, former Head of Software Development at Wiggle, about his experience leading a major retailer through a two-and-a-half-year transformation from a 20-year-old legacy system to a modern composable architecture.

This episode sheds light on the complexities of composable commerce that often go unspoken. David pulls back the curtain on what happens when the nine-month transformation you were promised stretches into years of challenges, unexpected hurdles, and hard-earned lessons.

He discusses managing 150 different integration points, selecting the right components and partners, and the crucial importance of understanding the problems you're trying to solve before committing to a composable approach.

Since this episode aired, the landscape of digital transformation has continued to evolve. David's insights remain incredibly relevant, especially as the future of eCommerce is increasingly shaped by AI and large language models.

If you’re navigating digital transformation, rethinking your tech stack, or simply looking for expert perspectives on the realities of composable commerce, this episode is 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/

As we continue our look back at some of our most popular episodes, we’re revisiting another must-listen discussion - this time with two industry heavyweights: Sonja Keerl, co-founder of the MACH Alliance, and Jim Herbert, CEO of Patchworks.

Recorded in November last year, this episode explored a pivotal moment for MACH technology as businesses demanded more flexibility, speed, and scalability from their digital commerce solutions. Fast forward to today, and those conversations are more relevant than ever - especially as AI reshapes commerce, and enterprise buyers push vendors to adapt faster. 

🔍 Discussion Highlights:

•  MACH at a Crossroads – Are vendors keeping pace with evolving buyer expectations?
•  AI’s Expanding Role – How AI is simplifying commerce and integrating into MACH frameworks.
•  Tech-Savvy Buyers – Digital-native enterprises are reshaping how tech is adopted and implemented.
•  Platform Evolution – Can Shopify and other platforms meet enterprise needs while staying MACH-compliant?
•  New Frontiers for MACH – How industries like healthcare and financial services are embracing composable tech.
•  The Vendor Challenge – Why adaptability is key in a fast-changing landscape.

If you missed this episode the first time around - or want a refresher - now’s the perfect time to 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/

As we take a short pause to gear up for Season 7, we’re revisiting some of our most popular episodes from the archives. Today's rewind episode was recorded nearly 12 months ago, yet this conversation with Craig Smith and Rico Adler from SCAYLE remains as relevant as ever.

In our chat, Craig and Rico explored the evolving expectations of digital consumers, the growing complexity of modern commerce, and the key challenges brands face when adopting a composable approach. They also shared real-world insights on why some digital transformations succeed while others fall short - covering everything from organisational mindset to the role of flexible commerce architecture.

Since this conversation, SCAYLE has continued to gain industry recognition. They were named once again in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ report, based on its 'Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute' reflecting their momentum in the market. They’ve also become the official eCommerce platform provider for Manchester United and, more recently, powered Harrods’ new online shopping experience. Their growth underscores the importance of adaptability in a rapidly shifting retail landscape - one of the very themes discussed in this episode.

If you’re navigating digital transformation, rethinking your tech stack, or simply looking for expert perspectives on the future of eCommerce, this episode is well worth a 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/

The latest episode of The FODcast is here, and this time we’re joined by James Brooke, CEO of MAPP Digital, and a true industry veteran with over 31 years of experience in digital commerce.

Having witnessed the sector’s transformation first-hand, James shares his insights into where digital commerce is headed next, what businesses must do to stay ahead, plus a deeper dive into:

• Gen Z who are rewriting the rules of online shopping, meaning traditional strategies no longer cut it. Social media is now the first stop on their buying journey, and brands that fail to bridge the gap between platforms and e-commerce sites risk being left behind.
• What makes this generation tick, why authenticity and social proof are now non-negotiable, and how brands can craft seamless, engaging experiences that keep customers coming back.
• The inevitable rise of AI-driven personalisation - from boosting customer engagement to building trust in an era of growing data privacy concerns.
• The shift towards ‘unified retail’ as digital and physical retail continue to merge, where every touchpoint is connected for a frictionless shopping experience.

🎙️ This isn’t just a conversation about where e-commerce stands today—it’s an essential look at the trends set to shape its future. Don’t miss it.

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 Power of DE&I in Digital Commerce: A Conversation You Can’t Miss 🎧

In the latest episode of The FODcast, we sit down with Jasmin Guthmann, Vice President of the MACH Alliance, to explore the vital role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in shaping the future of digital commerce. As businesses navigate rapid transformation, Jasmin highlights why DE&I is more than a buzzword—it’s a strategic advantage.

From the impact of unconscious bias in hiring to the worrying rollback of diversity initiatives, Jasmin shares candid insights into the current state of the industry and what’s at stake if progress stalls. She also dives into how diverse teams fuel innovation, boost morale, and drive stronger business outcomes.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why DE&I is essential for business growth, not just a compliance tick-box
• The hidden cost of unconscious bias in recruitment and leadership
• Practical ways businesses can create inclusive environments that empower all employees
• How community involvement and mentorship programmes are shaping the next generation of diverse talent

🎙️ This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a wake-up call. Whether you’re a business leader, an employee, or an advocate for change, this episode delivers thought-provoking insights that will challenge perspectives and no doubt spark reflection.

#DiversityInTech #DigitalCommerce #InclusionMatters #Leadership #FutureOfWork

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/