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.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

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.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

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.

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/