S6 | The Future of E-Commerce: Gen Z, AI, and the Rise of Unified Retail with James Brooke

April 23, 2025

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.

Written by:

Tim Roedel

CEO

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Industry News & Headlines | March 2025

April 10, 2025

Last month’s update landed at a time when things were starting to pick up – and we’re pleased to say that momentum hasn’t slowed. April has already seen a steady flow of positive conversations, new instructions coming through, and long-standing vacancies being filled – exactly what we like to see.

March set the tone, and so far, April is following suit.

📈 CVs sent are the highest this year.

📈 Interviews taken place is the highest this year

On top of this – and while it’s a slightly more subjective metric – we’re finding more people are open to having conversations about hiring. Why does that matter? Well, if hiring wasn’t even on the radar, it’s unlikely anyone would spend 15–20 minutes on a call discussing it when there are a million and one other things demanding their attention, especially in a time where efficiency is everything.

Unsurprisingly, data remains the hottest topic right now. From driving internal efficiencies to boosting revenue through smarter loyalty programmes and personalisation, nearly every business is reviewing their data strategy. It’s not just retail either – we’re seeing increased demand across the insurance sector as well.

Outside of data, Shopify continues to lead the commerce platform space. Interestingly, Q1 saw several agencies from North America and the Nordics move into the already crowded UK market – including Woolman, ROIROI, Domaine, and Lazer Technologies (who landed last year). A few consultancies with enterprise transformation credentials have also secured Shopify Partner status. Given the demand for skilled technical Shopify professionals, it’s no surprise this has been a busy area for us throughout Q1.

To summarise, Q1 has been strong – both for us and across the wider recruitment space. Jobs are picking up across the digital commerce landscape. With fresh budgets now in play for many, we’re expecting to see new projects kicking off quickly as we move further into April.

 

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • WHSmith has sold 480 high street stores to Modella Capital (Hobbycraft owner) in a deal worth £76m. Stores will be rebranded TGJones and WH Smith retains its brand to focus on its travel shops READ MORE
  • Fortnum & Mason partnered with Zapp to launch 24/7 on-demand delivery in London, offering rapid access to products like hampers and teas READ MORE
  • Holland & Barrett opened its first experience-led store in Cardiff, featuring wellness activities like yoga and pilates, health checks, and personalised wellness solutions. The 3,710 sq ft store is part of a £70m investment in transforming retail experiences READ MORE
  • ASOS.com has upped its profit outlook for H1 amid its ongoing turnaround strategy, expecting a “significant improvement” in profitability READ MORE
  • Vinted opened its first luxury second-hand fashion pop-up, House of Vinted, in London’s The Adria Hotel on 22 March. Invitation-only guests were able to explore curated wardrobes featuring brands like Gucci and Prada Group 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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Winning The Talent Race: Shaping The Future of Hiring & Retention | Q1 2025

March 20, 2025

Unlock the Future of Digital Commerce Hiring  –  Download Our Latest Whitepaper

The digital commerce hiring landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With the rise of AI, automation, and flexible work models, businesses must adapt to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market.

Simply Commerce’s latest research explores key hiring and retention trends shaping 2025 and beyond. Through in-depth surveys and discussions with industry professionals, we’ve uncovered the factors that drive job acceptance, the most sought-after workplace benefits, and the biggest challenges employers face when securing top-tier talent.

This whitepaper provides actionable insights to help businesses refine their recruitment strategies, enhance employee satisfaction, and remain competitive in the digital era.

Discover what job seekers truly value – from career growth opportunities to workplace culture – and how your organisation can stand out.

Download now to stay ahead in the digital commerce talent race:

DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT TO READ MORE

As always, if you’re keen to explore how Simply Commerce can assist your business in navigating these trends and challenges within the digital commerce sector, please do get in touch. 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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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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