🎙️ The Commerce DevCast – Episode 8
Topic: Christmas episode

• - Wrapping Up 2025

  In this Christmas Special episode, we take a step back and reflect on 2025 in e-commerce — a year full of platform shifts, AI hype, real innovations, and uncomfortable questions.

  We talk about Shopware’s Fair Usage Policy, Adobe Commerce moving toward SaaS, Google’s A2A protocol, and the fast rise of Agentic Commerce. From OpenAI’s Instant Checkout to McKinsey’s long-term predictions, this episode focuses on what actually matters for merchants, developers, and decision-makers heading into 2026.

  A calm but honest discussion about where e-commerce is going — and how prepared we really are.

  Together, we discuss:

  • The state of e-commerce after 2025
  • Shopware’s Fair Usage Policy and GMV thresholds
  • How (and if) fair usage can be controlled
  • Google’s A2A protocol and AI-to-AI communication
  • Adobe Commerce’s transition toward SaaS
  • What Agentic Commerce really means in practice
  • OpenAI’s Instant Checkout and checkout automation
  • Why AI accuracy and data quality are critical
  • McKinsey’s predictions for agentic e-commerce
  • Hyvä’s role in revitalizing the Magento ecosystem
  • Adobe’s acquisition of SEMrush
  • What to expect from e-commerce in 2026

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  🔑 Keywords:
  e-commerce, Shopware, Adobe Commerce, SaaS, AI, Agentic Commerce, Google A2A, OpenAI, Magento, Hyvä, SEMrush, McKinsey, e-commerce trends 2025, future of e-commerce, AI in retail

  ⸻

  📌 Key Takeaways:
  • 2025 marked a major shift toward AI-driven commerce
  • Fair usage policies introduce new risks for merchants
  • Agentic commerce will change how buying decisions are made
  • Adobe’s SaaS direction requires new skills and thinking
  • AI tools are powerful but fragile without good data
  • Open source is evolving — not disappearing
  • Merchants must adapt faster than platforms
  • 2026 will be about consolidation, not experimentation

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  🕒 Chapters:
  00:00 Introduction to E-commerce Trends of 2025
  01:18 Shopware's Fair Usage Policy
  08:03 Google's A2A Protocol and AI Agents
  22:22 Adobe Commerce's Transition to SaaS
  27:42 Future Implications for E-commerce Development
  28:32 The Evolution of SaaS in E-commerce
  30:37 The Rise of Agentic Commerce Alliances
  33:21 OpenAI's Instant Checkout and E-commerce Innovations
  41:17 Predictions for the Future of E-commerce
  44:27 The Impact of Hyvä on Magento's Ecosystem
  53:50 Adobe's Acquisition of SEMrush and Its Implications

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  👥 Meet the Hosts:
  • Vladyslav Podorozhnyi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladyslav-podorozhnyi
  • Oleksandr Kravchuk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksandr-kravchuk
  • Vitalii Boiko – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalii-boiko-3ba269232

  🌐 Visit our website:
  https://thecommercedevcast.github.io

  🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on Adobe Commerce, Magento, AI, and eCommerce architecture!

  #eCommerce #Magento2 #AdobeCommerce #AI #SaaS #AgenticCommerce #shopfiy #shopware #TheCommerceDevCast 🎄

🎙️ The Commerce DevCast – Episode 7
Topic: Merchant–Agency Relationships in E-Commerce

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most critical aspects of running an online business: how merchants work with agencies.
We explore different development models, trust issues, conflicts of interest, quality control problems, and the leadership needed to build reliable long-term partnerships.
If you’ve ever hired an agency—or plan to—this episode will help you avoid common pitfalls and understand what truly makes a collaboration successful.

Together, we discuss:

• • On-site vs agency-based development
  • How to evaluate an agency before you sign
  • Why trust is fragile—and how it gets broken
  • Red flags, scams, and unfair practices
  • Quality control issues in extensions and delivered work
  • Why leadership on the merchant side is a game-changer
  • How long-term partnerships reduce risk and cost
  • Communication mistakes that destroy collaborations
  • Why some agencies “sell hours instead of expertise”

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  🔑 Keywords:
  e-commerce, agency relationships, development approaches, hiring decisions, conflict of interest, agency scams, leadership, business partnerships, merchant strategies, quality control, extensions, project management, communication, trust, software development

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  📌 Key Takeaways:
  • Strong agency relationships require technical understanding + clear leadership
  • Merchants often rely heavily on agencies due to missing in-house expertise
  • Transparency is essential to avoid miscommunication and conflicts
  • Agencies can bring huge value—but also carry risks
  • Leadership on the merchant side determines project success
  • Avoid agencies that optimize for hours rather than outcomes
  • Quality control in extensions is often overlooked
  • Long-term trust is more valuable than short-term cost savings

  ⸻

  🕒 Chapters:
  00:00 – Introduction to E-commerce Relationships
  02:10 – Understanding Development Approaches
  05:01 – Building Relationships with Agencies
  08:30 – On-site vs Agency Development
  12:53 – The Role of Agencies in E-commerce
  15:45 – Cost vs Expertise: Hiring Decisions
  18:05 – Conflict of Interest in Agency Relationships
  20:41 – Finding the Right Agency Partner
  23:31 – Identifying Unfair Practices in Agencies
  29:06 – Scams and Misleading Practices
  35:22 – The Importance of Leadership in E-commerce
  40:35 – Unpacking Agency Practices
  41:20 – The Cost of Trust: Agency Relationships
  47:32 – Quality Control in Extensions and Modules
  53:30 – Navigating Agency Relationships

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  👥 Meet the Hosts:
  • Vladyslav Podorozhnyi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladyslav-podorozhnyi
  • Oleksandr Kravchuk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksandr-kravchuk
  • Vitalii Boiko – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalii-boiko-3ba269232

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/27uVu3QGhp4cHdIzsXoP2Q

  🌐 Visit our website:
  https://thecommercedevcast.github.io

  🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on Adobe Commerce, Magento, and eCommerce architecture!

  #eCommerce #Magento2 #Agency #Merchant #AdobeCommerce #TheCommerceDevCast

🎙️ The Commerce DevCast – Episode 6
Topic: Automated Testing

In this episode, we dive into the world of Automated Testing, exploring its crucial role in modern software development — especially within the eCommerce space.

Together, we discuss key questions such as:

• • What is automated testing?
  • What value does it bring to commercial software development?
  • When and where should you use automated tests?
  • Can automated testing actually save you money?
  • How can AI agents help extend test coverage?

  BONUS for our listeners: 20% discount for MMCA2025 tickets by promo-code "VIP".
  Meet Magento Canada 2025 Conference: https://ca.meet-magento.com/

  ⸻

  🔑 Keywords
  Automated testing, software development, quality assurance, test-driven development, testing tools, regression testing, Magento, Adobe Commerce, eCommerce, software quality, CI/CD

  📌 Takeaways
  • The primary goal of automated tests is to improve software quality and speed up the development process, especially in complex projects.
  • Infrastructure is crucial for effective automated testing, acting as a highway for software delivery.
  • Different types of tests serve various purposes, from unit tests to functional tests.
  • Real-life applications of automated testing can significantly reduce regression testing time.
  • Communicating the value of automated testing to clients is vital for project success.
  • The decision to implement automated tests should be based on project complexity and team size.
  • AI tools are increasingly making automated testing more efficient and accessible.
  • Investing in automated tests can lead to long-term savings and improved software quality.

  ⸻

  🕒 Chapters:
  00:00 – Introduction
  00:48 – What is Automated Testing? (Explained like to Grandma)
  05:10 – The Role of Automated Tests in the Development Cycle
  07:52 – How Magento 2 Taught Its Community to Use Automated Tests
  13:37 – When You Should Start Thinking About Automated Tests
  18:47 – Breaking Down the Different Types of Automated Tests
  31:31 – Real-Life Examples of Applying Automated Testing
  41:04 – How to Communicate the Value of Automated Testing to Business Stakeholders
  46:45 – Challenges of Implementing Automated Testing in Agencies
  50:30 – The Real Business Value of Automated Tests in Complex Projects
  01:01:18 – Three Tools That Help with Writing and Running Automated Tests

  ⸻

  👥 Meet the Hosts:
  • Vladyslav Podorozhnyi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladyslav-podorozhnyi
  • Oleksandr Kravchuk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksandr-kravchuk
  • Vitalii Boiko – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalii-boiko-3ba269232

  🌐 Visit our website: https://thecommercedevcast.github.io

  🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on Adobe Commerce, Magento, and eCommerce architecture!

  #AdobeCommerce #CDCI #eCommerce #Magento2 #AutoTests #AutoTests #StaticTests #TheCommerceDevCast