The FODcast

Is delivery still being treated too much like logistics, and not enough like customer experience? On the latest episode of The FODcast , James sits down with André Sikborn Erixon , VP of Growth at Ingrid , to explore why delivery has become one of the most important and misunderstood parts of modern commerce. From checkout accuracy and customer preference, through to lockers, omnichannel fulfilmen...

Most businesses know AI is changing commerce.  The bigger question is whether their product data is actually ready for it.  In this episode of The FODcast , Tim speaks with Romain Fouache , CEO at Akeneo , about conversational AI, agentic commerce and why structured product information is becoming such an important topic for brands and retailers.  The conversation covers:  Why AI changes how produ...

Are brands looking far enough ahead when evaluating ecommerce platforms? On the latest episode of The FODcast , James sits down with Marina Milojkovic , VP UK at Grebban , to unpack why total cost of ownership in ecommerce is often far more complex than brands initially expect. From app sprawl and operational complexity, through to team structure, ownership and long-term scalability, the conversat...

Pricing in retail still isn’t where it needs to be. In this episode of The FODcast (and the launch of Season 8), we sit down with Meghan Stabler (Co-Founder and CMO at AI-driven, contextual pricing platform alentr ) to explore why pricing remains one of the most complex and underdeveloped areas in digital commerce. Drawing on her experience as former SVP of Global Marketing at BigCommerce where sh...

B2B commerce complexity isn’t just technical. It’s organisational, behavioural and cultural. On this week’s episode of The FODcast , James sits down with Tom Williams , Head of Commerce at UNRVLD to unpack why B2B transformations stall…and what actually gets them moving. We cover a whole host of topics including: Complex pricing + org structures: different users, permissions and hierarchies; and w...

“People sleepwalk without intent.” That’s how Jim Tattersall , Founder & CTO at Rotate° , describes one of the most common causes of failed commerce transformations. In the latest episode of The FODcast , Jim and Andy Jackson ( Rotate’s Chief Creative Officer) unpack why brands often reach for tools, platforms and architectures before they’ve properly defined the problem they’re trying to solv...

“We’re kind of drowning in a sea of sameness.” That’s how Rob Hoekman , Senior Director of Experience Consulting at Empathy Lab by EPAM describes the state of ecommerce today. On this week’s episode of The FODcast , our CEO Tim and Rob unpack how decades of optimisation and best practice have led to convergence - in platforms, patterns and experiences - and why differentiation is getting harder, n...

“It’s not the licence cost that kills you; it’s the invisible overhead.” That’s how Serge El Hachem , Director of Solutions Engineering at Lazer Technologies , describes what’s really slowing enterprise commerce down. On this week’s episode of The FODcast , host James and Serge unpack how global retailers are simplifying their stacks, cutting total cost of ownership, and finding real speed on Shop...

Confused about what’s actually working in digital commerce right now?   You’re not alone. Between US conversion chaos, rising costs, and AI hype, it’s hard to tell what moves the needle and what’s just noise. On this week’s episode of  The FODcast , host Tim Roedel sits down with Jamie Vaughan , ex MD at Signifly , to cut through the chatter and get practical about what to fix first. Here’s what w...

" Accessibility isn’t a niche feature set; it’s the operating system of a fair and profitable digital world." On this week’s episode of The FODcast , James sits down with Hilary Stephenson , Managing Director at Nexer Digital , to unpack how inclusive design drives growth, reduces risk, and builds trust across every customer journey. In our chat, we cover a whole host of things, includin...

AI is not just changing tools, it is changing teams, skills and how customers find you online. In this week’s episode of The FODcast , host James Hodges sits down with Rob Goodwin , Chief Data Officer at MSQ Partners , to talk about what is moving fast, what is hype, and what leaders should fix now. We cover:  AI agents for triage, code generation and repetitive analytics, and what that means for...

We’ve got an extra special episode of The FODcast dropping this week - not only do we have both Tim Roedel AND James Hodges side by side in the interviewer’s seat once again, but we’re also joined by two guests from global commerce agency Domaine , Kim Samuelsen and Max Rolon .  In this four-way chat, we discuss how Shopify’s native capabilities now handle serious complexity across EMEA without th...

What makes a 20-year veteran development team bet everything on Shopify? According to Bob Rockland , Co-Founder of Code (now part of Domaine), the answer lies in both economics and technology. In the latest episode of The FODcast , Bob takes us inside Code’s journey to becoming the world’s largest dedicated Shopify partner - and why no client they’ve migrated in the last seven years has ever gone...

What’s really driving the AI revolution in digital commerce? According to Sander Berlinski , Director of Innovation at valantic , the answer isn’t chasing futuristic hype, but focusing on what’s working right now. In this FODcast episode, Sander breaks down how AI is already transforming retail, from automating compliance checks to reshaping creative roles; and why data foundations, not shiny tool...

What’s really shaping the future of digital commerce?   According to Rhea Fox , Marketing Director of Gift Experiences at Moonpig Group , the biggest shift isn’t just technology - it’s how distribution and marketplaces are rewriting the rules of retail. In this FODcast   episode, Rhea draws on senior roles at eBay, Ted Baker, and Monsoon Accessorize to explore how brands are adapting to an increas...

What makes a customer truly loyal? According to Voyado CEO Erica Sandelin Ekelund , it’s not just points or discounts – it’s about building genuine connections that turn shoppers into passionate brand advocates.  Or, as she calls them, your fan club . In the latest episode of The FODcast , Erica reveals why the most successful retailers double down on their fan club, crafting tailored, high-impact...

What really drives the future of retail? According to PMC’s Technology & Solutions Director Elliot Winskill , it’s not about choosing between online and in-store, it’s about mastering the space in between.  In the latest episode of The FODcast , Elliot unpacks how 12 years in retail technology have given him a front-row seat to the industry’s scars, shifts, and breakthroughs - from the flawed...

AI, trade wars, and data sovereignty are reshaping European tech strategies - and businesses can no longer rely on yesterday’s playbook. In this episode of The FODcast , we’re joined by Daniel Hinderink , Director of Strategy and Growth at TechDivision , to unpack the deep structural shifts happening across the digital landscape. We cover: Why data sovereignty is now a board-level concern in pharm...

In the latest episode of The FODcast , we were delighted to be joined by Teemu Tolonen , CCO at Woolman , to unpack one of the biggest shifts in digital commerce: how Shopify has quietly become a serious contender in enterprise retail. As part of Europe’s largest Shopify Plus agency, Teemu brings first-hand insight into what’s driving this change and how retailers are rethinking their technology s...

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...

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-t...

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 witho...

"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,...

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 conti...

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 fu...