Industry News & Headlines | February 2025

March 18, 2025

The conversations I’ve been having over the past six months are finally bearing fruit. February has been our strongest month across the board for as long as I can remember, and that’s reflected in some key business stats:

📈 Jobs per head have reached their highest level in a year
📈 CVs sent are at a 12-month peak
📈 New opportunities added are at their highest since May ‘24

Salesforce and Adobe are making a strong push to regain market share, particularly from businesses that embraced a composable architecture only to realise it’s not the right fit. At the same time, we’re seeing a shift from ‘best of breed’ towards ‘best of suite’ – aligning perfectly with these trends. Companies no longer want to juggle seven or eight different providers when they used to rely on just one. These frustrations are surfacing now, creating new opportunities.

Speaking of opportunities, we’re seeing increased demand across delivery, product, and middle management – another positive sign, especially with our vacancies skewed heavily towards engineering in 2024.

While it’s encouraging to hear more conversations about growth and recruitment budgets, caution remains. The economic climate is still uncertain, and budgets remain tight. That said, in retail especially, businesses are recognising they can’t afford to stand still – so investment is happening.

 

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • In The Style is set to enter administration, with owner Baaj Capital expected to appoint FTS Recovery. The brand, once valued at £100m, was sold for £1m in 2023. A pre-pack insolvency deal may be considered, though the impact on staff remains unclear READ MORE
  • Pret A Manger confirmed its coffee subscription will remain at £5 per month, scrapping a planned price hike to £10. The subscription offers 50% off up to five barista-made drinks daily, part of the brand’s Club Pret offer READ MORE
  • John Lewis & Partners added 49 new fashion brands for the spring season, including DRAGON DIFFUSION, Second Female Aps, and S.S.DALEY. These additions bring the total number of brands to over 350. The move aims to attract a broader customer base READ MORE
  • Tesco is trialling bespoke discounts based on shopper behaviour through its Clubcard Prices loyalty scheme. Customers chosen to participate will receive “Your Clubcard Prices” delivered through the app every Wednesday READ MORE
  • B&Q extended its on-demand delivery service with Deliveroo to over 9,500 products, adding five larger stores in London. Customers in Beckton, Sidcup, Watford, Acton, and Romford can now receive DIY, gardening, and homeware items in as little as 25 minutes READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | Unpacking DE&I: Impact on Digital Commerce Today with Jasmin Guthmann

March 12, 2025

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.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | Pioneering New Paths in Digital B2B with David Williams

February 26, 2025

The Future of B2B Digital Commerce: A Must-Listen Conversation 🎧

In the latest episode of The FODcast, we sit down with David Williams, Digital Director with over 20 years of experience in both B2B and B2C, to discuss the seismic shifts taking place in B2B digital commerce.

From the rise of digital natives leading businesses to the demand for seamless online solutions, David shares his insights into how AI and other technologies are driving change and making these solutions more accessible and cost-effective than ever before.

💡 Key Takeaways:

  • How Gen AI is shaping B2B customer journeys with digital-first tools
  • The role of AI in enhancing customer experiences without losing the human touch
  • Strategies for B2B businesses transitioning from legacy systems to modern, customer-centric solutions
  • Real-world examples from trailblazers like Oro, Sitecore, and Nibble

🎙️ Don’t miss out on this transformative discussion. Whether you’re in B2B or B2C, the lessons shared here are crucial for understanding where the market is heading.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | Breaking the Cycle of Business Transformation Failures with Mindera’s Phill Gillespie

February 19, 2025

Why Do So Many Business Transformations Fail?

In this episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by Phill Gillespie, currently Client Engagement Principal at Mindera, to explore why digital transformations often fall short—and what businesses can do differently. From misunderstood MVPs to the psychological barriers that hold teams back, we uncover the real challenges behind lasting change.

💡 Key takeaways:

  • Why transformation isn’t a one-time fix—and how to get it right
  •  The role of communication in overcoming internal resistance
  • Why companies should rethink MVPs
  • How businesses like Monzo succeed in customer-first transformation
  •  The hidden emotional factors that influence adoption and engagement

🎙️ Don’t miss this essential conversation. Whether you’re leading transformation or stuck in the trenches, Phill’s insights will help you rethink your approach and avoid the common pitfalls.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | January 2025

February 4, 2025

Shopify, data, loyalty, and AI (of course!) seem to be the buzzwords of 2025 so far, and let’s be honest, I think most of us saw it coming.

With money tight across the board, businesses are looking at how they can make smaller, incremental improvements, and the majority of the time this syncs back to data and how they can either improve the customer experience or internal efficiencies.

We’ve seen this reflected in the job market too with the rise of data-focused positions, the ever-increasing demand for Shopify Engineers, and the more recent rise of Prompt Engineers.

While things are still a little slow, conversations have been fruitful with intent. The general feeling is that there will be an increase in opportunities over the year, we are, however, still feeling the effects of the budget changes last year; retail, for example, being one of the worst hit areas, is looking at approx. £7 billion extra in running costs.

Personal opinion is that the market will remain choppy over the next 2-3 months, however, we will start to see an increase in project sign-off and new opportunities. Growth is on the cards for a lot of organisations, however, this will be steady and organic.

Gone are the days of dramatic increases in headcount… at least for now.

 

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • WHSmith is in talks for a potential sale of its 500 high street stores as it explores “strategic options”. It signals a more focused and streamlined travel operation which now accounts for ¾ of the group’s revenue and 85% of its profit READ MORE
  • Waitrose & Partners is reintroducing free daily coffee for My Waitrose loyalty members from 27 January, requiring only a reusable cup. The complimentary hot drink can be claimed without a purchase, including dairy alternatives, marking a return to the original 2013 loyalty scheme benefit READ MORE
  • JD Sports Fashion reported 1.5% YoY like-for-like revenue growth for the nine weeks to 4 January 2025. Organic revenue rose 3.4%, with footwear outperforming apparel and stores exceeding online performance. Pre-tax profit is now expected between £915m and £935m, reflecting market headwinds READ MORE
  • Tesco online marketplace now carries more than 300,000 third-party products spanning DIY, garden, homeware, pet care, and toys, less than eight months since its launch READ MORE
  • Evri reported “record parcel volumes” over the festive period, including its “best-ever week” following Black Friday. Total parcel volumes grew 12% to reach 173 million in the nine weeks to 28 December, with sustained demand as consumers relied on last-minute deliveries READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | Revolutionising B2B E-Commerce: Insights and Strategies with Vendure’s David Höck

January 29, 2025

In this episode of The FODcast, we delve into the transformative world of B2B digital commerce with David Höck, co-founder of Vendure.

From his beginnings in mechatronics engineering to reshaping the digital commerce landscape, David’s journey offers invaluable insights for businesses navigating the complexities of B2B.

Vendure’s open-source, headless platform is a game-changer for companies managing multi-region and multi-language operations. By addressing the limitations of traditional solutions, it empowers global brands like IBM and QVC, as well as smaller enterprises, to thrive in an evolving market.

💡 Key topics we explore include:

  • The vast untapped potential of the B2B market and how to drive innovation
  • A deep dive into composable commerce vs. monolithic systems—and which suits B2B best
  • Balancing founder priorities while navigating venture capital challenges
  • How AI and automation can enhance the B2B experience without losing the human touch
  • The growing influence of younger generations in shaping B2B customer expectations

🎙️ Why listen? This episode is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies to help you stay ahead in the competitive B2B e-commerce space.

Whether you’re a founder, a digital commerce expert, or simply intrigued by the future of B2B, this is a must-listen conversation that could reshape your approach.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | Turning Intuition into Growth: Martijn Wijsmuller on Navigating E-Commerce Success

January 21, 2025

What if you could transform your career from corporate to entrepreneurial success? Martin Wijsmuller did just that, leaving his role in Communications at Heineken, to co-found Shopify agency, Ask Phill.

In this episode of The FODcast, Martin shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey—from cutting his teeth in his uncle’s fashion business in Australia to finding business inspiration in China’s vibrant markets.

Martin reveals how his sharp focus on Shopify for niche industries powered the growth of Ask Phill across Europe and the US. Plus, we learn more about his approach to juggling multiple ventures; trusting his intuition in decision-making, and the crucial role of working with passionate partners to drive success.

💡 We also chat some more about:

  • The early challenges of building Ask Phill from the ground up
  • Why targeting the right market is essential for scaling a business
  • The power of collaboration with skilled partners
  • How agility and strategic hiring fuel business growth

🎙️ Don’t miss out on Martin’s invaluable insights—tune in now to learn the secrets behind his success and how you can apply them to your own entrepreneurial journey.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | Building Customer Loyalty in the Digital Age: Insights from Fiona Stevens

January 14, 2025

Can simple loyalty strategies really make a difference in today’s competitive landscape?

In the latest episode of our podcast series, The FODcast, we’re joined by Fiona Stevens, Director of Marketing at LoyaltyLion, to explore the power of loyalty programs in digital commerce.

Fiona shares how focusing on customer loyalty early on can set brands apart, even without the resources of giants like Amazon. We dive into actionable insights that can help transform how your customers interact with your brand and drive lasting retention and growth.

💡 What’s in this episode?

  • The stages of building a successful loyalty program and tailoring rewards to customer journeys
  • How personalisation and gamification enhance customer engagement
  • Success stories from brands like The Inkey List and AU Vodka, and how they integrate loyalty into their digital strategies
  • The power of data in shaping loyalty programs and boosting conversion rates Emerging trends like omnichannel experiences and sustainable fashion in loyalty marketing

🎙️ A must-listen for anyone curious about the impact of loyalty programs on customer engagement and business growth.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | The Art of Haggling Meets AI: Rosie Bailey on Transforming Digital Commerce

January 7, 2025

What better way to start the new year than by exploring the trends shaping the future of e-commerce? In our first podcast episode of 2025, we’re joined by Rosie Bailey, Co-Founder and CEO of Nibble, to discuss how AI and innovative strategies are transforming the digital commerce landscape.

Rosie shares how Nibble’s negotiation platform is revolutionising online shopping by reintroducing the art of haggling, creating personalised and engaging customer experiences that foster loyalty and deliver tangible financial benefits.

💡 What’s in this episode?

  • The role of generative AI in closing data gaps and tailoring customer interactions
  • How intelligent automation helps businesses avoid over-discounting while boosting conversions
  • Tips for navigating chaotic sales periods like Black Friday without compromising brand identity

🎙️ Rosie also offers a forward-looking perspective on how AI could redefine business negotiations, reducing inefficiencies and creating seamless interactions.

Packed with practical advice and fascinating insights, this episode sets the tone for an exciting year in digital commerce.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S6 | “Elevating Customer Journeys in Digital Commerce” with Alessandro Desantis

December 29, 2024

In our latest FODcast episode, we sit down with Alessandro De Santis, Partner and Chief Strategist at Nebulab, to explore how brands can transform their digital commerce strategies by enhancing customer experience, activating data effectively, and embracing cutting-edge innovations like AI and Digital Product Passports.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

  • Customer Experience as a Competitive Advantage:  Why CX isn’t just about the purchase. From post-purchase support to reverse logistics, learn how aligning customer satisfaction with business goals can drive loyalty and performance.
  • Unlocking the Power of Data: We talk about why many brands miss out by focusing on broad data instead of actionable insights.
  • The Future of Digital Product Passport: With upcoming European regulations, DPPs are set to transform retail by providing detailed product information and bridging online and offline experiences. Learn how they can enhance consumer engagement and second-hand market insights.
  • AI’s Role in Retail Innovation: From tools like Shopify’s Sidekick to hyper-personalisation, we dive into how AI is reshaping customer interactions while stressing the need for human oversight to maintain brand integrity.

🎧 Ready to rethink your approach to digital commerce? Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts for expert advice and forward-thinking strategies.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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