The Space Bar: Ecommerce Podcast by Space 48

Space 48

The Space Bar podcast is an ecommerce podcast from Space 48, a remote-first ecommerce agency who designs high performing, technologically superior ecommerce stores for global brands. We have teamed up with our ecommerce network of clients and tech partners to produce a focused podcast for people working in our industry. Our aim is to share the latest news, tips and advice for growing your brand online and provide as much value as possible to the ecommerce community. We hope you enjoy it and make sure you subscribe for the latest episodes and leave a review to let us know what you think.

  1. 29 APR

    #75: Why Accessibility in eCommerce Can’t Wait (feat. RNIB)

    In this episode, Pete Robertshaw is joined by Robin Spinks and Kat Stoner from the RNIB to discuss why digital accessibility needs to be top of mind for every online retailer in 2025. They share the inside story of RNIB’s new Shopify site, detailing how they balanced beautiful design with world-class accessibility, and what other brands can learn from their journey. Expect practical advice, real-world examples, and a look at the game-changing impact of the European Accessibility Act.

    58 min

  2. 9 APR

    #74: The Biggest Reveals from the BigCommerce Summit in London

    In this special edition episode, the Space Bar podcast team recaps the BigCommerce EMEA summit held in London. Andrew Barber, Engineering Manager at Space48, joins leading eCommerce consultant Pete Robertshaw to discuss the latest updates from the BigCommerce event, including exciting developments and the brand's future direction. This episode dives into the key takeaways, including the evolving leadership under new CEO Travis Hess and how BigCommerce is shifting its focus towards B2B and composable commerce. We also explore BigCommerce’s commitment to the future, addressing product innovations, partner integration, and their evolving SaaS offerings.  Episode highlights:  BigCommerce’s new leadership: A conversation about new CEO Travis HessThe shift in focus: BigCommerce prioritising B2B and composable commerceThe product roadmap: Exciting updates like Catalyst and checkout extensionsThe future of complex eCommerce: BigCommerce's approach to customisationKey takeaways for partners and developers: The impact of open SaaS and integration toolsThe value of change management when integrating new eCommerce platforms

    45 min

  3. 20 FEB

    #73: How Technical SEO is Evolving in the Age of AI

    Pete Robertshaw is joined by Chris Lever, Head of Tech SEO at Bring Digital and co-founder of the TechSEO North community, to see how organic search has evolved since Pete’s early career foray into SEO.  Chris talks about his introduction to SEO and how the field is adapting to the rapid rise of AI in search. He speaks in-depth about the benefits and drawbacks of working with headless CMS builds, why brands can’t rely solely on paid media to fuel their search growth, and debates that age-old question: is SEO dead? Pete unpacks with Chris the most crucial mistakes that eCommerce brands are making in their technical SEO implementations today, including the most common site migration disasters you can easily avoid. Don’t miss it! In this episode: The ‘early days’ of technical SEOHow SEO has evolved over the past decadeWhy strong technical website foundations are more influential in search performance than ever beforeWhy investing in paid search at the expense of SEO puts your brand at serious riskThe benefits and challenges of optimising a site on a headless CMSThe common web migration mistakes brands make that harm their SEOHow tech SEO decisions differ between B2B and B2C sitesKey SEO voices eCommerce leaders should be followingHow SEOs are leveraging AI to keep up with AIHow tools like GPTSearch are fundamentally changing SEO Pete Robertshaw is host of the Space Bar Podcast and Head of eCommerce Consultancy at Space 48.

    51 min

  4. 30 JAN

    #72 Man vs Machine: Can AI Predict the Biggest eCommerce Trends of 2025?

    In the first episode of 2025, the Space Bar podcast team review the big eCommerce stories of the past 12 months before looking ahead to what 2025 will bring. Guest host Jonny Taylor, Head of Marketing at Dark Matter Commerce, pits two experts — leading eCommerce consultant, Pete Robertshaw, and Dark Matter Commerce CEO, Jon Woodall — against the ‘all-knowing’ AI to answer the question: who is better at predicting the future? Pete and Jon discuss the fast-emerging trends changing digital commerce today, from the unstoppable rise of social commerce (despite TikTok’s potential US ban) to the B2B ‘explosion’ that’s being championed by B2C best practices. Episode highlights: Introducing this week’s guests 2024 in review The rules of the ‘prediction’ game Prediction 1: B2B eCommerce ‘explodes’ in 2025 Prediction 2: Social commerce will win over older demographics Prediction 3: AI-assisted online shopping will become the norm Prediction 4: Sustainability will become table stakes for eCom brands AI vs human experts: the verdict Closing remarks

    56 min

  5. 11/12/2024

    #71. PIM-Possible: Cracking the Code of Product Data with Start with Data

    In this episode of The Space Bar Podcast, Peter Robertshaw chats with Ben and Clare Adams, co-founders of Start with Data. Together, they unravel the complex world of product data, enrichment, and Product Information Management (PIM) to help businesses thrive in today’s digital economy. From understanding key data terminology to knowing when it’s time to invest in a PIM, Ben and Clare provide actionable insights for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re struggling with messy processes, limited data, or choosing the right platform, they’ve got you covered. In this episode: What pain points are businesses facing today with their product data? How do product data challenges differ for small vs. large businesses? The basics: Breaking down PIM and data enrichment. Is it a process problem, or do you need a PIM? How to choose the right PIM platform for your business. Building a strong business case for PIM implementation. Why do some PIMs fail, and how can you make them a success? Enhancing limited data and how AI is transforming the data landscape. A glimpse into the future of product data and PIM innovation. Hosted by Pete Robertshaw, Head of Commerce Consulting at Space 48.

    52 min

  6. 27/11/2024

    #70 Search Party: Discovering the Future of eCommerce with Klevu

    In this episode of The Space Bar Podcast, Peter Robertshaw sits down with Mairaid Hart, Head of EMEA Partnerships at Klevu, to explore the evolution of product discovery in eCommerce. Together, they explore the latest advancements in AI-driven personalisation, from automating merchandising to deploying tailored recommendations that increase click-throughs and conversions. Mairaid explains why seamless search experiences have become essential for brands to engage shoppers, and why people are more likely to convert when their site search queries are specific.  As they look to the future, Peter and Mairaid discuss the next wave of innovation, including conversational discovery and hybrid search capabilities. Topics Covered in This Episode: Meet Our Guest: Mairaid from Klevu shares her background and passion for eCommerce search technology. The Rise of Product Discovery: How site search has evolved, and why it’s central to shopper engagement today. AI-Driven Personalisation: The data-backed benefits of personalised search and merchandising. Optimising Search Placement: Tips on making search visible and user-friendly for higher engagement. Future Innovations: A look at conversational search, AI advancements, and the potential of hybrid search. Hosted by Peter Robertshaw, Head of Commerce Consulting at Space 48.

    43 min

  7. 24/10/2024

    #69 Navigating the Future of Unified Commerce.

    In this episode of The Space Bar Podcast, Peter Robertshaw sits down with Jim Herbert, CEO of Patchworks, and Lee Farmer, Operations Director at Ellisons, to tackle the complexities of integrating legacy systems with modern technology. Jim shares how Patchworks simplifies these challenges with innovative middleware solutions and new features like database shapes. Meanwhile, Lee gives us an inside look at Ellison's journey from outdated, manual processes to streamlined automation, revealing how continuous improvement is essential for any business to thrive. Together, they explore the role of APIs, the impact of AI on integration, and the vital importance of partnerships in executing successful projects, whether you're wrestling with legacy systems or looking to future-proof your operations. Topics covered in this episode: Meet the Experts: Jim Herbert (CEO of Patchworks) and Lee (Operations Director at Ellison's). From Legacy to Modern: Ellison's transformation from manual, legacy systems to modern API-driven solutions. Patchworks’ Innovation: Jim explains how Patchworks bridges the gap between legacy systems and modern platforms using cutting-edge middleware. The Role of APIs: How modern integration technologies shape Unified Commerce. Security & Compliance: Jim and Lee discuss the importance of data security. AI's Impact on Integration: A forward-thinking discussion on how AI reshapes automation, operational efficiency, and the future of integrations. Power of Partnerships: Solid partnerships are crucial in navigating complex integrations. Looking Ahead: Future trends in Unified Commerce, the integration landscape, and the exciting potential of AI to streamline processes even further. Hosted by Pete Robertshaw, Head of Commerce Consulting, Space 48.

    1h 1m

  8. 16/10/2024

    #68 Open Rates & AI Fates: The Future of Email Marketing

    Welcome back to the Space Bar podcast! In this episode, we discuss how email marketing has transformed in 2024 with Phil Holman, the Senior Enterprise Account Executive at Dotdigtal and an expert in all things eCommerce and digital marketing. Phillip shares his knowledge and experience in email marketing, examining how it’s changed over the years and the current trends. We study how retailers can segment and personalise their email marketing campaigns to improve their customers’ experiences.  He also shares the challenges and strategies for success for B2B and B2C retailers when making email marketing campaigns. Topics include: How has email marketing evolved over time? How can marketing campaigns be personalised to target customers based on their industry, behaviour, and preferences? What are the best practices for email marketing? Should SMS be a bigger focus for brands in the future? What are the current digital marketing channels, and how do we increase engagement? What are the best email marketing strategies to deal with the challenges B2B and B2C retailers face? What impact will AI have on email marketing in the near future? Hosted by Pete Robertshaw, Head of Commerce Consulting, Space 48. Guest: Phil Holman, Senior Enterprise Account Executive at Dotdigtal.

    50 min
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About

The Space Bar podcast is an ecommerce podcast from Space 48, a remote-first ecommerce agency who designs high performing, technologically superior ecommerce stores for global brands. We have teamed up with our ecommerce network of clients and tech partners to produce a focused podcast for people working in our industry. Our aim is to share the latest news, tips and advice for growing your brand online and provide as much value as possible to the ecommerce community. We hope you enjoy it and make sure you subscribe for the latest episodes and leave a review to let us know what you think.

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