Legacy eCommerce Transformation for Hancocks

What We Did

Upgraded Adobe Commerce to version 2.4.5
Implemented composable, headless architecture
Integrated Contentful CMS for flexible content management
Rebuilt frontend using React JS and Next JS
Enhanced performance via modular architecture
Optimized SEO through structured tagging
Improved product recommendations with Algonomy

Outcomes

Overview

Hancocks, the UK’s leading B2B confectionery wholesaler, managed over 3,000 products across 14 stores but relied on an outdated Adobe Commerce platform. Performance limitations, security vulnerabilities, and rigid content workflows hindered operational efficiency and customer experience.

Net Solutions introduced a headless, composable architecture integrating Contentful, React, and Next JS. This transformation reduced maintenance overhead, improved user engagement, and resulted in measurable business growth, including improved order values and increased traffic.

3 Big Takeaways

01. Adopting a Composable Architecture

02. Centralizing Content Operations

03. Accelerating Growth through Performance Gains

01. Adopting a Composable Architecture

Decoupling for Scalability

Hancocks’ legacy system was burdened with excessive CRON jobs and unnecessary plug-ins, creating performance bottlenecks. Net Solutions decoupled frontend and backend operations by transitioning to a composable, headless architecture, improving scalability and system stability. This change allowed Hancocks to handle 200–300 concurrent users, up from just 100, while minimizing downtime.

Future-Proofing with Modular Components

The modular architecture facilitated seamless integrations with specialized solutions like Algonomy for AI-driven product recommendations. Additionally, OpenSearch was implemented to enhance search performance and streamline order processing. This approach reduced security risks and enabled faster adaptation to market demands.

02. Centralizing Content Operations

Replacing the Inflexible CMS

Previously, Hancocks’ content management was slow and inefficient due to a rigid CMS. By adopting Contentful, they streamlined content creation and introduced modular content blocks for greater flexibility. This reduced developer dependency and allowed marketing teams to manage campaigns more efficiently.

Enhancing SEO and Consistency

With a more structured CMS, Hancocks improved control over metadata, headings, and tags, strengthening SEO performance. This allowed for better search visibility and easier multi-channel content management, ensuring long-term digital agility.

03. Accelerating Growth through Performance Gains

Faster Load Times and Higher Engagement

Performance issues, including slow load times caused by outdated plugins and server constraints, were addressed by upgrading to Adobe Commerce 2.4.5 and rebuilding the front end with React JS and Next JS. These changes resulted in significantly improved site performance, boosting engagement across desktop and mobile users.

Streamlined Payments and Order Management

By integrating PayPal with Braintree and optimizing order workflows for both online delivery and click-and-collect, Hancocks enhanced the checkout experience. This improvement led to increased conversions and a smoother customer journey.

Technology Stack

Headless Adobe Commerce (2.4.5)

API-driven Contentful CMS

Algonomy for product recommendations

React JS / Next JS for the front end

OpenSearch 1.2, Redis 7.0

Distributed AWS architecture

PayPal with Braintree, Credit/Debit Card, On Account, BACS

GDPR compliance with OneTrust and Google Analytics 4

By modernizing Hancocks’ eCommerce infrastructure, Net Solutions delivered a scalable, high-performance platform. The adoption of a composable architecture and Contentful CMS empowered Hancocks to adapt rapidly to market changes, optimize content workflows, and enhance customer engagement. This transformation highlights Net Solutions’ expertise in delivering future-ready digital solutions for mid-sized enterprises.

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