Industry News & Headlines | June 2025

July 16, 2025

“The market’s good”

One of the first questions I get asked, after nearly 15 years recruiting in the digital commerce space, is always the same: “How’s the market?”

Given how the last couple of years have gone, I’m pleased to say… it’s good. Actually, better than good. It’s taken a while to get here, and if it feels like it’s been a long time coming – that’s because it has.

Let me break it down:

There’s budget again: not reckless spending, but cautious investment is happening. That hasn’t been the case for a while.

Hiring sentiment is up: companies are planning, talking about, and forecasting growth in this financial year.

New projects are gaining traction: Commerce, PIM, CMS, Search… I’ve heard of multiple new initiatives signed off in Q2 alone.

Industry-wide data shows a 20% increase in digital commerce job adverts in Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024.

Simply Commerce-specific stats from Q2: Most new jobs added in a single quarter for two years. Most placements made in a quarter for two years. Most revenue booked and billed in a quarter for two years.

So yes, we’re feeling positive, and hopefully that helps explain why. But (and there’s always a but), we’re also staying grounded. Summer can be slower. And with ongoing global instability, we know things can change quickly.

Meanwhile, AI continues to dominate every conversation,and rightly so. There’s no sign of that slowing down so if you’re looking for a smart area to upskill in, AI is the obvious choice. Just make sure you do your homework first.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Nike has reported an 86% drop in quarterly profits as it grapples with a sharp decline in sales, a costly corporate revamp, and a $1bn hit from US tariffs READ MORE
  • Boots UK has continued to outperform the high street, reporting a 5% increase in total sales for the three months to the end of May – its 17th consecutive quarter of market share gains READ MORE
  • ASOS.com cracks down on serial returners, closing accounts that breach its fair use policy. The retailer said a “small group” of customers will be impacted READ MORE
  • Marks and Spencer restarted online sales following a cyber-attack over the Easter weekend in April, which is expected to cost (gross) around £300m. The retailer reintroduced key clothing lines, with more products to follow READ MORE
  • River Island may close 33 stores (from 250) and attempt to cut rents on 71 more as part of major restructuring plans, putting jobs at risk. The retailer reported a £33.2m pre-tax lose in FY23 as sales fell 19% 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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S7 | ROI or Bust: Commerce in a Cost-Conscious World with Tal Ofer

July 16, 2025

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.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S7 | Physical Retail’s Vital Pulse: Why In-Store Experiences Still Matter with James O’Hare

July 2, 2025

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.

Written by:

Tim Roedel

CEO

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S7 | Navigating AI in B2B Commerce with Aidan McGaughey

June 20, 2025

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.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | May 2025

June 15, 2025

Last month, I mentioned the “choppiness” of 2025 so far, with April proving slower than expected. Thankfully, May brought a solid bounce back for Simply Commerce, and June is already off to a strong start.

New vacancies are now at a yearly high, and the pipeline is looking healthy across a variety of roles and sectors. We’re also seeing real momentum behind some of the wider services we offer, particularly around sales enablement and project delivery. Over the past six weeks, there’s even been a noticeable rise in demand for project management and business analysis roles, which suggests that new workstreams are kicking off.

In retail, the sentiment seems consistent. Budgets are available, but the focus is on how and where to spend them. Right now, we’re seeing investment in both operational efficiency and more innovative areas like unified commerce, frontend re-designs, and personalisation.

Outside of retail, B2B remains a major talking point. It’s clear that work is on the horizon, especially for those with strong B2C leadership backgrounds, as B2B companies go through significant transformation. If you’re aiming to break into this space, networking with groups like The B2B Organisation will be well worth your time.

Shopify continues to dominate the commerce conversation, but Adobe Commerce is stepping up, too. Its new SaaS products and the launch of Commerce Optimiser are interesting moves as it looks to regain market share. Time will tell how this plays out.

Optimism is always part of the job, but this time it feels justified. There’s a new energy in the market, conversations are flowing, and the challenges of 2023 and 2024 finally feel like they’re behind us.

Let’s hope that continues.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Gymshark launched its first loyalty programme, offering customers “experience points” for purchases, sharing content, and completing workouts via its app READ MORE
  • Morrisons expanded its More Card loyalty scheme to include over 300 partner retailers such as eBay, ASOS.com, and Expedia Group READ MORE
  • Holland & Barrett has reported double-digit sales growth for the second year running, driven by its customer-focused strategy and rising demand. Sales rose by 10% year-on-year in 2024, reaching £884.5m, up from £806.1m in 2023 READ MORE
  • The Walt Disney Company will open a limited-time pop-up at Westfield White City in June, featuring immersive designs, daily ceremonies, and exclusive product ranges tied to its Lilo & Stitch film and summer collection READ MORE
  • H&M Group acquired a minority stake in Swedish ecommerce firm Centra following a successful partnership with brands including COS and ARKET 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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S7 | Crafting Community in a Digital Age: Vivobarefoot’s Approach to Modern Commerce with Steven Irwin

June 12, 2025

“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.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S7 | Beyond Buzzwords: Why eCommerce Success Isn’t About Your Platform Choice with Matt Parkinson

June 12, 2025

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!

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | April 2025

May 12, 2025

AI, AI… and Action Figures.

From “Buy Now” integrations to LinkedIn feeds full of AI-powered action heroes, the artificial intelligence hype machine is still in overdrive. Whether the use cases are game-changing or just gimmicks, AI once again stole the show last month. I’d bet not many of you are reading this without thinking about the prompt you used to generate your own?!

On a more serious note, April was slower than we’d hoped – likely a combination of tariffs and the Easter break. That said, we’re expecting activity to ramp up quickly in the coming weeks.

As always, we had a presence at Retail Tech Show last month. The general consensus? Retail isn’t standing still. While spending is cautious, there’s a clear appetite for investment –  especially in areas that drive efficiency and optimisation. Hiring was very much on the agenda for many vendors we spoke to.

Interestingly, Europe seems to be a step ahead of the UK when it comes to pressing ‘go’ on transformation projects. We’ve also heard whispers of some major retail programmes kicking off later this year.

On the upside, our pipeline is looking incredibly strong across engineering, architecture, and customer success/account management roles.

At the start of the year, I said 2025 would be choppy – and April proved just that. But with fresh budgets in place and positive early signals, May is already shaping up to be a better month.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Asda will open 25 new convenience stores in the second half of 2025, stepping up its local presence after launching just 12 last year READ MORE
  • JD Group test-launched UK website Joybuy.com, offering groceries including Morrisons own-label products. The site features food, drink, household and personal care items READ MORE
  • SHEIN and Temu have informed US customers to expect higher prices starting next week due to the tariffs imposed on China by Trump READ MORE
  • Amazon submitted a bid to acquire TikTok’s US operations as the platform faces a forced sale READ MORE
  • Superdrug is rolling out 500 digital screens across UK stores to support its Retail Media Network, Optimo. The screens aim to deliver tailored promotions in real time, enhancing customer experience and supplier advertising 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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S7 | Platforming the Future: B2B’s Digital Commerce Revolution with Jochen Binder

May 8, 2025

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.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S7 | The Fatal Flaw: Why Tech-Led Projects Fail with Simon Hamblin

April 30, 2025

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.

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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