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/