WebExpr at Tech For Retail 2024

The Tech For Retail Show confirms its role as a major event for distribution actors. The 2024 edition marks a turning point for professionals in the sector with technological challenges that are redesigning the B2B retail landscape.

The perfect opportunity for WebExpr to present its vision of tomorrow's e-commerce!

A meeting at the heart of retail innovation

Tech For Retail is the show that brings together decision-makers and retail experts around the latest technological advances. This 2024 edition highlighted the profound transformations in the sector, especially in B2B, where digitalization needs are accelerating more and more to meet growing demand, in particular from the B2C sector. The challenges focus on improving the customer experience, automating processes and integrating flexible technological solutions.

For 12 years now, WebExpr has been supporting distributors in their digital transition. The agency now has 40 employees specialized in development of digital solutions for B2B retail. This expertise is reflected in a detailed understanding of the problems of the sector, particularly in the fields of automotive, construction and sports, for example, where the management of large product catalogs requires tailor-made solutions.

For Valentin Barthel, co-founder of WebExpr : “B2B retail is going through a phase of digital transformation. Our role is to support this evolution with technological solutions adapted to the specific needs of the sector.”

Medusa.js: The technology that is transforming B2B

The digital transformation of B2B retail requires technological solutions capable of responding to the specific challenges of the sector. It is in this perspective that WebExpr has made the choice of Medusa.js, an open source technology that allows another approach to B2B online commerce, much more flexible and scalable than other so-called “classic” solutions (Magento, Shopify, Prestahop, Prestahop, WooCommerce, etc.).

This headless solution, which completely separates the front-end from the back-end, offers unprecedented flexibility to retailers. In particular, it makes it possible to manage complex and large product catalogs, while maintaining optimal performance.
The decentralized architecture of Medusa.js brings considerable advantages for B2B retail:

• Advanced multi-catalog management adapted to different customer profiles
• Extensive customization of pricing according to customer segments
• Easy integration with existing systems (ERP, CRM, PIM)
• Natural scalability to support the growth of retailers
• Simplified maintenance thanks to the modular architecture

The headless approach of Medusa.js is profoundly transforming the user experience of B2B platforms. Professional buyers benefit from personalized interfaces according to their sector of activity, their buying habits or their specific commercial conditions. This technical flexibility is reflected in concrete improvements: optimized loading times, smooth navigation even in the densest catalogs, and above all, a shopping experience that is close to B2C standards while maintaining the specificities of B2B.

The open source nature of the solution also reinforces its relevance to the industry. Distributors are no longer trapped in proprietary technology and can evolve their platform according to their needs. This technical freedom is accompanied by a significant reduction in development and maintenance costs, while ensuring a continuous evolution of the solution thanks to an active community of developers.

Open source at the service of flexibility

The choice ofOpen source for B2B retail meets a fundamental need in the sector: adaptability. Distributors face various constraints depending on their sector of activity, size or economic model. A proprietary solution, however sophisticated it may be, cannot anticipate all these specificities.

The open source approach to Medusa.js Transform this equation. Distributors can now:

• Modifying source code to meet specific needs
• Develop customized modules for their sector
• Integrate tailor-made functionalities
• Collaborate with other actors in the sector on common issues
• Benefit from community innovations

This flexibility is particularly valuable in sectors such as the automotive or construction industries, where ordering processes and business rules often require advanced adaptations. For example, an automotive parts distributor can develop a specific module for managing manufacturer references, while a material supplier will adapt the platform to the logistical constraints of its sector.

Open source also provides a concrete response to the challenges of sustainability and technological independence. Distributors no longer depend on a single publisher to develop their platform. This technical autonomy is reflected in greater agility in the deployment of new functionalities and better control of development costs.

B2B retail in full transformation

The B2B retail sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by the evolution of the expectations of professional buyers. Accustomed to B2C standards in their personal lives, they now expect the same fluidity in their professional purchases.

This evolution in buying behavior is evident at several levels:

• An increased requirement in terms of user experience
• A need to customize interfaces and catalogs
• An expectation of responsiveness in order processing
• A request for synchronization between sales channels
• Real-time access to product information

B2B distributors must now reconcile these new expectations with the specificities of their sector: volume management, complex pricing, specific business rules, integration with existing systems. This complexity requires technological solutions that can be adapted to each context.

The digitalization of B2B retail is no longer limited to simply putting a catalog online. It encompasses the entire value chain: from inventory management to logistics, through customer service and marketing. B2B e-commerce platforms are becoming real digital hubs, centralizing all interactions with professional customers.

This profound change in the sector is also redefining the role of sales teams. Freed from administrative tasks thanks to automation, they can focus on providing strategic customer support and developing new opportunities.