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PODCAST

The FODcast

Tim Roedel and James Hodges

In the FODcast (The Future of #DigitalCommerce) we explore the real career stories of the people who have made it to the very top of the sector and those who are working at the cutting edge of innovation and change right now. Listeners to the podcast gain insight into the journeys industry leaders have taken to be where they are today, the challenges they are facing now and their aims for the future.

technology management

All Episodes

54:45

Why E-Commerce Won’t Win on Best Practices Alone with...

The FODcast ·

2026/02/05

“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, not easier. They explore: How ecommerce capability has become commoditisedWhy replatforming now de...

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50:18

Outcomes Over Architecture: Why Simplicity Wins in...

The FODcast ·

2026/01/21

“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 Shopify. We also cover: The invisible overhead - multiple vendors, fragile integrations, endless QA and ...

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51:54

Your Cart Is Fine; Your Duties Are Not: Why US...

The FODcast ·

2026/01/07

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 we cover: The “Donald effect” impacting US growth - and how to rebuild confidence th...

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57:47

Compliance Is the Floor; Inclusion Is the Strategy...

The FODcast ·

2025/12/10

"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, including: The European Accessibility Act - what’s in scope, what deadlines matter, and why compliance is only the floo...

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48:40

When AI Takes the Busywork: How Teams May Evolve in...

The FODcast ·

2025/11/27

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 junior and mid-level rolesThe rise of AI Ops to monitor, tune and audit models in productionWhy...

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65:19

From Buzzwords To Bottom Line: Unified Commerce, AI,...

The FODcast ·

2025/11/13

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 the overhead of composable stacks - and what that means for brands weighing platform choice, exp...

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37:35

Nerds Who Talk: The Tech Behind Big Brand Migrations...

The FODcast ·

2025/10/29

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 back. We cover: The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) myths CFOs often miss – and why Salesforce can be...

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51:58

Prompts, Products, and Profits: The AI Revolution...

The FODcast ·

2025/10/14

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 tools, should be every retailer’s first priority. We explore how his team built an EU Accessibili...

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52:42

Marketplaces, TikTok, and Dad Dancing: Why Not Every...

The FODcast ·

2025/09/30

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 increasingly fragmented ecosystem. From the rise of retailers like Next and John L...

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51:13

The 'Fan Club' Effect: Rethinking Retail Loyalty with...

The FODcast ·

2025/09/17

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 loyalty strategies instead of relying on one-size-fits-all schemes. We also cover: Why loyalty...

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45:22

The Hidden Challenge of Retail: What Happens Between...

The FODcast ·

2025/09/02

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 “e-commerce versus high street” debate to the rise of unified commerce as a mindset, not just ...

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69:42

When AGI Lands, Your Business Model Might Vanish with...

The FODcast ·

2025/08/08

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 pharma, manufacturing, and financial servicesWhat Switzerland can teach us about protecting intellectual ...

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45:08

Beyond the Hype: Shopify’s Real Role in Enterprise...

The FODcast ·

2025/07/16

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 strategies. We cover: How Shopify’s semi-composable architecture delivers flexibility without complex...

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48:09

ROI or Bust: Commerce in a Cost-Conscious World with...

The FODcast ·

2025/07/01

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...

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61:51

Physical Retail's Vital Pulse: Why In-Store...

The FODcast ·

2025/06/20

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...

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52:06

Navigating AI in B2B Commerce with Aidan McGaughey

The FODcast ·

2025/06/04

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 ...

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59:21

Crafting Community in a Digital Age: Vivo Barefoot's...

The FODcast ·

2025/05/21

"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 c...

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60:51

Beyond Buzzwords: Why eCommerce Success Isn't About...

The FODcast ·

2025/05/07

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 te...

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47:59

Platforming the Future: B2B's Digital Commerce...

The FODcast ·

2025/04/30

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 transf...

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52:12

The Fatal Flaw: Why Tech-Led Projects Fail with Simon...

The FODcast ·

2025/04/23

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 intersect...

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85 results

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