Dwyer Omega is a global manufacturer and distributor serving diverse industrial needs across leading eCommerce marketplaces and distributor networks. To meet rising expectations and move at the pace of digital commerce, they needed to radically accelerate their time to market and eliminate the inefficiencies of manual product workflows. 

Their solution? Akeneo PIM paired with the Akeneo App for SAP Commerce Cloud, a combination that delivered speed, simplicity, and scalability from day one.

The Challenge: Manual Chaos and Mounting Delays

Before Akeneo, Dwyer Omega’s product teams were mired in manual processes. Onboarding and enriching product data meant wrestling with spreadsheets, which made launching new items slow and cumbersome.

Product syndication cycles dragged on for months, costing the business valuable time and commercial momentum. Meanwhile, technical teams found themselves constantly managing integrations and troubleshooting platform inconsistencies, diverting attention from strategic initiatives.

Their legacy systems were simply not built for the agility the business demanded.

Why Dwyer Chose the Akeneo App for SAP Commerce Cloud

The decision to adopt the Akeneo App for SAP Commerce Cloud was driven by three strategic priorities:

• Seamless connectivity: The app offered a direct, prebuilt integration between Akeneo and SAP Commerce Cloud, ensuring both systems could evolve together without additional development.

• Out-of-the-box value: With rapid deployment capabilities, the app reduced the need for internal IT resources and allowed the team to focus on business outcomes rather than plumbing.

• Business-centric approach: Instead of constantly fixing connections between tools, Dwyer Omega’s teams could devote their time to improving product experience and fueling go-to-market initiatives.

The Integration Advantage: Unifying Innovation and Execution

With the Akeneo App for SAP Commerce Cloud in place, Dwyer Omega benefits from unified innovation, as the integration ensures that both Akeneo and SAP Commerce remain compatible as they evolve, without the need for custom development. 

Operational harmony has also improved, with product data flowing automatically from Akeneo PIM to SAP Commerce storefronts, minimizing friction and reducing complexity for internal teams. 

Ultimately, this integration has become a strategic enabler, forming the backbone of Dwyer Omega’s go-to-market operations and empowering the business to move faster and more efficiently across global marketplaces.

Tangible Results: Speed, Scale, and Smarter Workflows

Since implementing Akeneo PIM and the Akeneo App for SAP Commerce Cloud, Dwyer Omega has achieved significant gains in efficiency, speed, and team productivity. Product activation, once a lengthy and cumbersome process that could take months to complete, has been dramatically accelerated. Now, new products flow across internal systems and external sales channels in near real-time, enabling the company to respond faster to market demands and opportunities.

This speed is matched by scalability. With features like bulk editing and automation, Akeneo has replaced time-consuming, manual processes with streamlined, intuitive workflows. The days of digging through spreadsheets and managing disconnected tools are gone. Instead, teams can make sweeping updates across large product catalogs with just a few clicks, significantly reducing the burden on internal resources.

As a result, product managers and other stakeholders are more empowered and engaged in their work. Freed from repetitive tasks and data wrangling, they can now focus on what really matters: curating compelling product experiences, driving strategic initiatives, and accelerating go-to-market efforts. This newfound efficiency and alignment across teams has not only improved operational performance but also laid the groundwork for continued innovation and global growth.

Looking Ahead: AI-Driven Innovation

Dwyer Omega isn’t stopping here. The team is now exploring Akeneo’s AI-powered capabilities to push their product operations even further. With built-in translation tools and generative AI features on the horizon, the company is poised to streamline content creation and localization like never before.

Ready to accelerate your time to market?

Discover how the Akeneo App for SAP Commerce can streamline your product activation process and keep your systems in sync.

👉 Explore the app on the Akeneo App Store

While a PIM lays the groundwork for managing internal product data, scaling efficiently requires a solution that brings your suppliers into the fold. 

That’s where  Supplier Data Manager (SDM), Akeneo Product Cloud, powered by Akeneo PIM, comes in. Together, they provide a centralized system for supplier collaboration, enriched with automation and AI, that helps you activate products across all your channels faster, more accurately, and with fewer manual touchpoints.

Let’s explore how this combined solution transforms supplier collaboration and why now is the moment to unlock its full potential.

1. Centralize Supplier Collaboration at Scale

Keeping all your product and supplier data in one place fundamentally transforms the way teams collaborate. With SDM, your suppliers no longer rely on messy spreadsheets or slow email exchanges. Instead, they interact with a self-service portal that’s directly connected to your product data ecosystem, with customizable workflows, tiered access, and error detection at every step.

This centralized approach:

• Speeds up onboarding by aligning your teams and suppliers in one workspace.
• Reduces errors with AI-powered mapping, shared templates, and built-in validation rules.
• Empowers suppliers to submit data confidently, with tailored permissions and guided workflows.

The average distributor uses SDM deals with 300 to 500 suppliers. With Akeneo SDM, customers like The Agent have cut onboarding time by more than 50%, while doubling the number of products activated per season. 

See how The Agent scaled faster and smarter with Akeneo SDM. 

2. Reduce Errors, Returns, and Manual Touchpoints

Inconsistent or incomplete supplier data can ripple through your entire product experience, from misclassified products that never appear in search to incorrect attributes that frustrate buyers and increase return rates.

Akeneo PIM + SDM helps eliminate these issues by getting product data right at the source, the moment the supplier submits it.

Together, they help you:

• Detect and resolve issues early using real-time error reports at the point of supplier upload 
• Validate data quality through mandatory fields and rule-based validations 
• Create a feedback loop that visually guides suppliers toward better data every time 

For example, Steelcase uses Akeno PIM + SDM to support the high volume of onboarding of spot buy and custom product categories that previously required heavy manual cleanup. With SDM’s automated validation and enrichment tools, they now catch data issues earlier, reduce internal workload, and get more products into their PIM faster.

Discover how Steelcase achieved a 62% reduction in annual time spent loading supplier data. 

3. Unlock Everyday Efficiency with AI-Powered Enrichment

While SDM without AI can help set up a foundation for distributors trying to industrialize an onboarding process and provide suppliers a guided workflow for catalog sharing, the benefits of AI within SDM automate and optimize every stage of the collaboration process, even during setup.

With built-in automation and intelligent enrichment, teams spend less time fixing data and more time optimizing product experiences.

Here’s how AI with Akeneo SDM adds value in real-time:

• Auto-categorization ensures every product is consistently classified across multiple hierarchies, saving teams from repetitive corrections
• Attribute extraction pulls details like color, material, and fit directly from product descriptions, reducing manual input and error risk
• Multilingual normalization handles translations and synonyms effortlessly, keeping global product data consistent and ready for any channel

Find the Right Package for Your Business 

Ready to scale smarter? 

The future of supplier collaboration is centralized, automated, and collaborative. With Akeneo Supplier Data Manager, you gain faster onboarding, better data quality, and more powerful product experiences across every channel.

Now is the time to take advantage of Akeneo PIM + Supplier Data Manager. Suppliers are more tech-savvy. eCommerce demands are higher than ever. And your teams deserve to focus on strategy, not spreadsheets. 

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But what even is AI? It feels as if we’ve reached a point where businesses are just slapping the phrase “Powered By AI” on anything and everything without any consideration as to what that actually means. 

So let’s take a step back from all the noise and hype, and go back to basics by diving into the fundamental aspects of AI, exploring its definition, workings, historical context, and its specific implications for the retail sector.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

At its core, Artificial Intelligence refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include problem-solving, learning, understanding natural language, and even recognizing patterns. AI systems are designed to simulate human cognitive functions, making them incredibly versatile.

How Does AI Work?

AI operates on the principle of machine learning (more on this later), where algorithms and models are trained on vast datasets to improve their performance over time. Machine learning involves the following key components:

• Data Collection: To begin, AI systems require substantial amounts of enriched and cleansed data, which serve as the foundation for learning. In the retail industry, data can include customer preferences, purchase history, browsing patterns, inventory levels, product information, and more.
• Training Models: After collecting and consolidating all of that data, AI models are fed the thousands, or potentially millions, of data points and trained to recognize patterns, make predictions, and optimize processes in the data set through iterative training. This is when your team should be closely monitoring the data ingested by the AI model to minimize biases, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies.
• Inference: After the training phase, AI systems can make decisions, predictions, and recommendations based on existing and new data. For instance, eCommerce platforms employ recommendation engines that use AI models to suggest products to customers based on their browsing and purchase history, or based on the purchase patterns of similar customer profiles.

Why is AI Important?

While AI is no magic wand, the significance of AI lies in its ability to revolutionize various aspects of business and society based on enriched, accurate data. Here are some key reasons why AI is important:

• Efficiency: AI can automate repetitive tasks, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of errors. AI will not entirely replace human jobs; it’s a collaborator, not a competitor. This technology can help to optimize supply chains or help customer service teams intelligently route inquiries to the right person, but it can’t entirely replace the need for skilled engineers to design and create innovative products or service reps to answer complex problems.
• Personalization: Personalization with AI is all about delivering tailored experiences to individual customers based on their preferences, behavior, and historical interactions at scale. It’s a game-changer because it shifts the shopping experience from a one-size-fits-all approach to a highly customized one. 
• Customer retention: AI doesn’t just help organizations provide personalized shopping experiences at initial purchase; AI can also be used to keep customers engaged over time by suggesting complementary products, sending relevant updates, and recognizing when a customer is due for a replenishment or replacement.
• Predictive analytics: By analyzing vast amounts of historical data and considering factors such as seasonality, economic indicators, and consumer preferences, retailers can utilize AI to accurately forecast demand for their products. This insight allows them to optimize inventory levels, ensuring that they have the right products in stock at the right times. As a result, retailers can reduce the costs associated with overstocking or understocking, minimize the risk of product shortages, and ultimately enhance their profitability by aligning supply with demand more effectively.

What’s the History of AI?

AI has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, but its modern development can be divided into several key phases:

Birth of AI (1950s-1960s): The term “Artificial Intelligence” was coined in the 1950s. During this period, early AI pioneers like Alan Turing, John Von Neumann, and John McCarthy laid the groundwork for AI as a scientific discipline. But during this inception phase, AI’s credibility was already under scrutiny due to its groundbreaking nature.

AI Winter (1970s-1980s): Progress in AI faced setbacks during this period due to high expectations and limited computing power. Funding and interest in AI dwindled, leading to what is known as the “AI winter.”

AI Resurgence (Late 20th Century): The late 20th century saw a resurgence in AI research, driven by advancements in machine learning and neural networks. During this period, artificial intelligence witnessed significant advancements attributed to powerful new computers capable of accelerating algorithmic computations, alongside the advent of the internet and widespread data sharing. 

Modern AI (21st Century): AI has transcended the realm of theoretical research and has firmly established itself in mainstream use across a myriad of applications. Autonomous vehicles, one of the most prominent examples, rely heavily on AI technologies like computer vision and machine learning to navigate and make real-time driving decisions. Similarly, virtual assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have become integral parts of our daily lives, utilizing natural language processing and speech recognition to provide information, perform tasks, and control smart devices. 

Beyond these well-known applications, AI is at the heart of numerous other innovations, spanning from healthcare diagnostics and recommendation systems in e-commerce to fraud detection in financial institutions. The 21st-century AI landscape reflects a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in technology, profoundly impacting how we live, work, and interact with the world around us.

Is Machine Learning the Same as AI?

Simply put, no.

The slightly more complex answer is that machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI. AI encompasses a broader spectrum of capabilities, including natural language processing, robotics, and expert systems.

Machine learning, on the other hand, focuses on developing algorithms that enable machines to learn from data and improve their performance over time. This means that machine learning systems can adapt and improve their performance as they encounter new information, making them well-suited for tasks like image recognition, speech processing, and data analysis. 

In essence, while AI defines the overarching goal of creating intelligent machines, machine learning serves as a pivotal component, enabling these machines to acquire knowledge, make predictions, and solve complex problems by leveraging the power of data-driven learning.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI is a subset of AI that focuses on creating new content or data, often in the form of images, text, or audio. It uses techniques such as generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning to produce creative outputs.

A prominent real-life example of generative AI is in the field of art and content generation. For instance, AI-powered systems can create artwork, compose music, or even write articles, showcasing the potential for AI to augment creative processes.

What are the Risks of AI?

As with any powerful technology, it’s risky to view AI through rose-colored glasses. Let’s take a look at a few of the potential risks that come with implementing AI technology.

• Differentiation: A strong brand identity creates an emotional connection with customers. But as AI continues to grow in popularity, we run the risk of creating a sea of template-based, algorithm-generated content. Maintaining a distinctive brand identity and voice becomes an even more crucial factor as content generation becomes more automated.
• Biases & liability: Artificial intelligence relies on large datasets. If these training datasets contain biases or inaccuracies, the model can learn and perpetuate those biases. In the context of global brands and retailers, this can result in inaccurate, discriminatory, or unfair outcomes in various aspects of operations, from product recommendations to legal compliance and more. 
• Privacy & security: Collecting and analyzing customer data raises privacy and security concerns. Brands must implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive customer information from data breaches or cyberattacks, and be transparent with customers about the types of data they collect, why it’s collected, and how it will be used.
• Technical challenges: There’s no denying that AI is a complex technology, and implementing an AI solution into your tech stack is no small feat. You need to ensure that you have the right folks on your team to prepare your internal teams for adoption, and you need to ensure that you have the right technology in place to integrate smoothly with the new solution and seamlessly communicate product information.
• Customer resistance: Some customers may perceive AI-driven interactions as impersonal and devoid of the human touch, or they can sometimes feel like they’re losing control over their interactions with others. It’s important to acknowledge this hesitation and alway consider the customer’s perspective when implementing new technology, ensuring that your technology is enhancing your team’s work and not overpowering.

How Will AI Impact Retail?

AI has already infiltrated the retail market, and will continue to do so over the next several decades. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways AI can be harnessed by brands to improve the customer experience and impact the retail industry.

• Data cleansing & enrichment: AI algorithms can standardize product data by enforcing consistent formats, categories, and naming conventions. This ensures that all product information is structured uniformly, making it easier for customers to navigate and compare items on your eCommerce or retail site.
• Data analysis & personalization: As we’ve mentioned, AI algorithms can ingest vast amounts of customer data to produce data-driven insights into customer preferences and behavior. 
• Market expansion: AI can allow brands to reach global markets and channels by providing the opportunity to create tailored, localized content at scale. While AI-generated translations still require human oversight, this technology democratizes the ability to translate titles, descriptions, shipping sizes or timelines, and units of measure, all while considering cultural nuances or local regulations.
• Efficient customer service: Chatbots and virtual assistants powered by AI can provide round-the-clock support regardless of time zone or language. While a robot often can’t, and shouldn’t, be used to solve complex problems or troubleshoot intricate issues, this technology can be used to triage common technical questions or at least intelligently route particular questions to the right humans for answer.
• Inventory management: Utilizing AI-driven demand forecasting enables retailers to fine-tune their inventory management. By doing so, retailers can make precise predictions for order quantities, effectively mitigating costly overstock or understock situations. 

AI for Product Experiences (PX)

In a world where AI is all the buzz, it can be hard to truly understand how to utilize AI for product experiences (PX) and the benefits this can have for your business. AI for PX is all about harnessing some of the most innovative AI technologies out there today to create efficient, hyper-personalized product experiences across an array of digital and physical touchpoints.

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: bad product data in = bad product data out. No matter how advanced AI and technology has become you should always start by looking at the quality of your product data first. 

Regardless of how advanced technology becomes, it’s the foundation of reliable, high-quality product data that truly unlocks the transformative potential of AI. As businesses embark on this journey, the wisdom of prioritizing data quality serves as the guiding star, ensuring that AI-driven product experiences reach their full potential, elevating customer satisfaction, and ultimately propelling businesses toward greater success in the digital age.

At Akeneo, our belief is simple: great product experiences begin with great people, strong values, and a clear sense of purpose. That belief extends far beyond what we build. It shapes how we operate, how we support one another, and how we show up in the world. 

Our 2024 Company Impact Report is a reflection of how we’re holding ourselves accountable to the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards that matter most to our people, our partners, and the communities we serve.

A Measurable Commitment to the Planet

One of the most tangible ways we’re leading with impact is in how we manage our environmental footprint. In 2024, Akeneo achieved a nearly 30% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the previous year. That’s the result of thoughtful action, from optimizing our cloud infrastructure to hosting our first Akeneo Recycle Day, which was a grassroots initiative with a simple but powerful concept: give unused laptops a second life by offering them to employees, with all proceeds donated to charity.  In the future, we plan to expand this initiative to include other unused office tech, reinforcing our belief in the principles of the circular economy.

Sustainability is also embedded into how we move. While travel is sometimes necessary, we now integrate sustainability criteria into event planning, aiming to reduce travel-related emissions by 30%. Whether it’s consolidating in-person meetings or choosing eco-friendly venues, every detail counts.

We’re not stopping there. By the end of 2025, we aim to have our transition plan certified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a globally recognized gold standard for emissions reduction. It’s all part of a broader philosophy: progress must be intentional, measurable, and transparent.

Putting People First

Of course, Akeneo’s impact story isn’t only about carbon; it’s also about culture. One of the most important sections of our Impact Report focuses on creating a workplace where people can thrive. 

In 2024, we continued to invest in our Manager Essentials and Women in Leadership programs, helping employees build the skills they need to grow their careers. We expanded access to mental health services with prevention coaching, four individual therapy sessions per year, and company-wide learning sessions on topics like diversity, inclusion, and corporate responsibility. At a time when mental health is too often an afterthought, we’re putting it front and center.

Flexibility remains a pillar of how we work. Long before remote and hybrid work became widespread, Akeneo embraced flexible arrangements. Today, our hybrid model—typically 1–2 days in the office and the rest remote—is designed to meet employees where they are, while still nurturing the benefits of in-person collaboration. We also offer “work from anywhere” opportunities for up to one month a year, recognizing the importance of work-life balance in all its forms.

Community, Culture, and Connection

Beyond individual benefits, we’ve expanded programs that connect our employees with the world around them. Our Employee Volunteering Program grants each team member two days of paid time off annually to support the charities of their choice. In 2024 alone, Akeneo teammates contributed more than 360 hours across 11 office-led initiatives. 

The highlight? A global virtual walkathon that raised funds to donate e-bikes to mobility programs in France. It was a powerful example of what’s possible when global teams unite around a shared purpose.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) continue to be a focus. We now have five Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—for women, LGBTQIA+ team members, neurodivergent individuals, parents, and their allies. These groups provide safe spaces, facilitate events, and help underrepresented voices be heard. They’re a core part of our “Purple Fire”, which is our unique blend of bold values that include Inclusive Community, Humble Hunger, Responsible Pioneers, and Diligent Benevolence.

Leading with Ethics and Integrity

Finally, no impact conversation would be complete without governance. Ethical business is a foundation we build everything else upon. From zero-tolerance policies on corruption and bribery to our ongoing work with EcoVadis, where we’ve earned a “Committed” badge and are aiming for Silver, we’re ensuring that integrity is woven into every partnership, policy, and practice.

We’ve also taken strong positions on issues like modern slavery, human trafficking, and supply chain ethics. We use international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Labor Organization’s conventions to shape our approach. It’s not just about risk mitigation; it’s about being a company people can trust.

The 2024 Akeneo Company Impact Report

The 2024 Company Impact Report is a reflection of what happens when a company aligns its business strategy with its values. It’s about measurable action, intentional leadership, and a commitment to being better for our customers, our colleagues, and our communities. Whether you’re a partner, a prospective employee, or a curious observer, we invite you to explore the full report.

 Download the full 2024 Akeneo Company Impact Report and discover how we’re turning values into action—one initiative at a time.

The way we shop is changing, and not just because of new trends or technologies. More and more of us are thinking about where our stuff comes from, how it’s made, and what happens to it when we’re done with it. From clothing to electronics to home goods, people are asking tough questions about the true cost of convenience and consumption,  and that shift in mindset is putting pressure on retailers to do better.

From the energy used in production and shipping to the mountains of packaging and returned items that end up in landfills, the retail industry in particular has a massive environmental footprint. Fashion alone is responsible for 10% of all global carbon emissions, and the rise of eCommerce has only added new layers of waste and inefficiency. Behind every product on a shelf or in an online cart, there’s a complex system that can strain natural resources, contribute to pollution, and generate enormous waste.

Retail Industry’s Environmental Impact

A carbon intensive industry

The retail industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, and it’s not always due to the obvious culprits like shipping operations and reverse logistics. Notably, Scope 3 emissions, those stemming from a company’s supply chain, are 92 times higher than direct operational emissions.

From the extraction of raw materials to the final delivery of products, every stage of the retail value chain leaves a carbon footprint: 

• The production of goods is often concentrated in regions reliant on fossil fuels, long distances from the end consumer. 
• The transportation of goods by road, air or sea generates substantial carbon emissions, particularly as demand escalates for rapid deliveries and returns. 
• The storage of goods in stores and warehouses requires energy use in increasing amounts as retailers grapple with overstocks

A strain on resources & landfills

Retail’s environmental footprint extends far beyond carbon emissions. The industry is a major consumer of water, raw materials, and energy. At the same time, it contributes heavily to landfill waste. Single-use packaging, unsold inventory, and returned merchandise all too often end up discarded rather than reused or recycled.

Overproduction and unsold inventory exacerbate retail’s environmental burden. Each year, billions of dollars’ worth of goods go unsold, often ending up in landfills or incinerators.  Fashion has become a notorious culprit, with some brands producing up to 52 micro-seasons annually to keep pace with trends. This cycle not only strains natural resources but also creates immense waste. In 2023, the fashion industry is estimated to have produced between 2.5 billion and 5 billion items of excess stock.

The hidden cost of eCommerce

The rise of eCommerce has led to an explosion of packaging waste, increased emissions from last-mile delivery, and skyrocketing return rates, particularly in fashion and home goods. Product shipping and returns account for 37% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions from return shipping alone totaling 24 million metric tons of Co2 in 2022.

Every search query, image load, video stream, digital transaction and cloud computation demands energy, and generating that energy emits more greenhouse gases. It’s estimated that tech contributes between 2.3 and 3.7% of global CO₂ emissions  – the equivalent to the aviation industry’s total emissions. 

Excessive packaging, though designed to protect goods, adds another layer of resource depletion and pollution. Retail is responsible for 40% of global plastic usage, with much of it failing to be recycled.

Key Pillars of Sustainable Retail Operations

Sustainability in retail is about embedding responsible practices across the entire value chain, from sourcing to customer experience. There are a few foundational elements that are key to implementing sustainable retail practices:

1. Building sustainable supply chains

New sustainability regulations and growing consumer expectations will require retailers to provide unprecedented levels of transparency across their supply chains. But the modern retail supply chain is a complex and multifaceted ecosystem, which includes sourcing raw materials, manufacturing goods, shipping finished products, warehousing, distribution to stores, picking and packing, order fulfilment, reverse logistics, and circular reintegration. 

Such a complex physical network will require sophisticated technology to identify and address operational inefficiencies, reduce waste, and optimise product lifecycles at every stage. Retailers will need to address carbon emissions in their own operations, and in the wider value chain while working closely with suppliers to ensure ethical labor practices, reduce carbon emissions, and source renewable or recycled materials. This also involves rethinking vendor relationships, investing in supplier training, and using certifications to validate sustainability claims.

2. The 4 R’s: Resale, Recycling, Rental, Repairs

In a circular economy, products are designed and managed to maximize their value and minimize waste. Retailers are adopting strategies that keep products and materials in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value before recovering and regenerating products at the end of their service life, and can be summarized into The 4 R;s:

• Resale: Secondhand marketplaces are gaining popularity, especially among environmentally conscious consumers. Retailers like Selfridges have integrated resale into their business models, aiming for a significant portion of transactions to be circular by 2030.
• Recycling: Take-back programs enable customers to return used products for recycling. Brands like MUD Jeans offer recycling options for their products, reducing the need for virgin materials and lowering environmental impact.
• Rental: Subscription and rental models allow consumers to use products temporarily, reducing the demand for new items. Companies such as Decathlon have introduced rental services for sports equipment, promoting product reuse.
• Repairs: Offering repair services extends the life of products and reduces waste. Retailers are establishing repair workshops and providing customers with the resources to maintain their purchases.

3. Optimized inventory management

Inventory management is a significant challenge for retailers, with inefficient practices leading to both excess stock and stocks-outs. Overstocking has long been the preferred option to maximise sales opportunities, but it comes with a high environmental costs, including increased resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste. 

As new regulations demand that brands take responsibility for the full lifecycle of unsold stock, and businesses strive to meet their emissions targets, balancing stock levels effectively is now critical. However, a number of factors have made it increasingly difficult for retailers to plan inventory: 

• Rapid trend cycles: Driven by social media, the number of microtrends has boomed, and ultra-fast-fashion players have heightened consumer expectations for a constant cycle of new products by shortening speed-to-market times. 
• Channel complexity: As consumers increasingly shop across multiple channels, brands are struggling to provide product options across a growing number of touchpoints – especially if they’re not operating a single pool of stock.  
• Supply chain disruptions: Global supply chains have faced unprecedented disruptions in recent years, causing shipments to be delayed and extending already long lead times. 
• Unpredictable seasonality: While 2024 is expected to be the warmest year on record,   the UK experienced its coldest summer in almost a decade.  These unseasonal weather patterns caused by climate change make it hard to predict demand and sell through seasonal stock.  

While some unsold stock can be marked down or recycled, if brands are to reduce the pressure their activities place on the planet, they will need to reduce the amount of stock that goes unsold in the first place.

4. Personalized, data-driven customer journeys

To encourage consumers to shop more sustainably, retailers can shape their in-store and online experiences to highlight eco-friendly products and collections. For eCommerce search and browsing experiences, this starts at the product level with detailed product descriptions,

tagging products with sustainability-related attributes (e.g. organic, carbon-neutral, recycled, pre-loved), and prioritising these products within the search experience through product

recommendations. 

Using AI-powered personalisation tools, retailers can connect product data with real-time customer behavioural data and tailor the customer journey to match the right products to the right customers. This allows brands to identify shoppers who are inclined to shop sustainably and cater their on-site experience to suit those preferences.

These same tools also enable store associates to deliver more meaningful in-person experiences. With enhanced product information and tailored recommendations available in the POS, they have the insights needed to guide consumers toward more informed and conscious choices.  With instant access to detailed product data – such as materials, origin, environmental impact, and sustainability certifications – associates can confidently answer questions and help customers select products that align with their values. 

5. Mitigating return rates

It’s no secret that returns have a huge cost for the planet. Around 17 billion items are returned every year, generating 4.7 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions and 2.3 million tonnes of waste. 

In the past, customer returns have been considered an unavoidable cost of doing business, but a number of new digital technologies are helping shoppers make more suitable purchasing decisions – and reducing the likelihood of returns. In a world where customers shop across multiple channels, from online to in-store to mobile apps and more, consistency in product information ensures a seamless shopping experience. 

When product details like size, material or features are presented clearly, customers feel confident in their purchasing decisions, which reduces hesitation and the likelihood of returns. Inaccurate or inconsistent information can lead to customer frustration, erode trust in a brand and increase costly returns. 

Driving Sustainability in Retail

From improving supply chain efficiency to enhancing product transparency and enabling smarter decision-making, modern companies that embed sustainability into the very fabric of their operations reduce their environmental footprint but also build stronger trust with consumers, meet evolving regulatory demands, and future-proof their business in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace.

As sustainability continues to shape the expectations of customers, investors, and stakeholders alike, the businesses that leverage technology to drive meaningful change will be the ones that lead,not follow. Now is the time to invest in solutions that align profitability with responsibility, proving that doing good for the planet can also be good for business.

When it comes to choosing a product information management (PIM) solution, there’s a lot to consider – features, integrations, scalability, price, etc. But one often overlooked factor can make or break the success of your PIM adoption: the user interface (UI). But a good UI isn’t just about looking nice. It’s about making your team’s day-to-day work smoother, faster, and more intuitive.

Let’s explore what UI really is, why it matters so much, and why Akeneo PIM consistently stands out as one of the best solutions on the market for usability.

What is User Interface (UI)?

UI (User Interface) refers to the way users interact with a software application, and can include everything from the layout of the screens and the structure of menus, to how information is displayed and how easy it is to find and complete tasks. In short, UI is about how software looks, feels, and functions for the people who use it.

A good UI ensures that users can accomplish what they need to do, whether that’s enriching product data, updating catalogs, or launching new products, with minimal effort and confusion.

Why is UI important?

A strong UI may seem like just a good “nice to have” but when you’re dealing with complex software solutions that touch multiple teams and processes, it’s often actually critical for success. Here’s why:

• Ease of adoption: A simple, logical interface reduces the learning curve, making it easier for teams to start using the tool confidently and quickly.
  
• Efficiency: Good UI design minimizes wasted time searching for information or figuring out next steps, making everyday workflows faster.
  
• Reduced training costs: When the system is intuitive, businesses spend less time and money training employees.
  
• Better data quality: A clear interface helps users understand where data gaps exist and what actions they need to take to resolve them.
  
• Higher user satisfaction: If people enjoy using the software, they’re more likely to use it consistently and correctly, leading to better business outcomes.

How to Evaluate UI in Business Solutions

When assessing a PIM (or any business-critical software), evaluating the UI carefully is crucial to ensuring long-term success. A polished UI can determine how efficiently users work, how quickly teams adopt the tool, and how reliably your product data can be maintained.

Here are the key elements you should pay close attention to when evaluating UI.

1. Clean, Uncluttered Design

A strong UI starts with clarity. When users log in, they should immediately understand where they are and what they can do next. Screens should not be overwhelmed with buttons, menus, or information. Instead, the design should prioritize focus, presenting only the most relevant tools and content depending on the context.
An uncluttered design reduces cognitive load, making it easier for users to concentrate on the task at hand without being distracted or overwhelmed.

Questions to ask:

• Are the most important actions easy to find without searching?
• Is the layout organized logically, without excessive visual noise?

2. Logical Structure and Navigation

Poor navigation can cause frustration and wasted time. An intuitive structure helps users find what they need quickly and reduces the chances of errors or omissions.

A good UI creates a clear, intuitive map for users to follow. Menus, categories, and workflows should mirror how users naturally think about and organize their work. Navigation paths should feel predictable, consistent, and straightforward whether you’re drilling down into a product family, switching between catalogs, or editing product attributes.

Questions to ask:

• Can users easily return to the homepage or dashboard from any page?
• Is there breadcrumb navigation or a logical menu hierarchy?

3. Helpful Guidance

Even with great design, new users may need a helping hand. Look for solutions that offer built-in guidance, such as tooltips, pop-up hints, onboarding tours, or contextual assistants. Features like this often go a step further by actively suggesting the next best action based on workflows and priorities.

Guidance tools empower users to get up to speed quickly and work independently, reducing reliance on support teams and minimizing errors.

Questions to ask:

• Does the system offer contextual help or embedded instructions?
• Are workflows clearly explained or supported by step-by-step assistance?

4. Responsiveness

Responsiveness refers to both speed and adaptability. Actions like clicking, filtering, editing, and saving should happen quickly and seamlessly. Additionally, the interface should adapt smoothly across different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) without losing functionality or clarity.

Slow, clunky interfaces frustrate users and discourage adoption. In fast-paced environments, every second counts, and sluggish systems can slow down enrichment efforts or cause users to abandon tasks.

Questions to ask:

• Are page loads and saves quick and smooth?
• Is the interface fully functional on different screen sizes or browsers?

5. Accessibility

Not every PIM user will be tech-savvy. An accessible, user-friendly design ensures that marketers, product managers, and seasonal staff can all contribute effectively without needing specialized training.

A truly great UI is usable by everyone regardless of technical skill level, experience, or even accessibility needs.Interfaces should avoid jargon, use clear language, and maintain high visual contrast for readability. Keyboard shortcuts, screen reader compatibility, and adjustable settings are important for ensuring inclusivity.

Questions to ask:

• Is the UI intuitive enough for a non-technical user?
• Are accessibility best practices, like contrast and keyboard navigation, supported?

6. Visual Feedback

Visual feedback keeps users informed about system status, next steps, and errors without requiring them to dig through logs or reports, which boosts productivity and minimizes confusion.

Effective UIs communicate with users clearly through visual feedback. For example, when an action is completed, the system should confirm it visually (e.g., a checkmark or notification). When data is missing or needs improvement, visual indicators — like Akeneo’s Data Quality Score — should highlight the issue in an easily recognizable way.

Questions to ask:

• Does the system provide real-time alerts, success confirmations, or warnings?
• Are areas requiring action clearly highlighted?

Akeneo PIM: Best in Class UI 

We may be a bit biased, but analysts and customers alike have long recognized Akeneo PIM for outstanding user interface and usability. 

Here’s a few specifics on why we stand out from the crowd:

• Clean, intuitive, and modern UI: Akeneo’s interface is praised for being user-friendly and approachable, especially by non-technical users. The modern design creates a welcoming environment that reduces the intimidation factor often associated with enterprise software.
  
• Clear navigation and structure: Core elements like the product grid, product edit page, and data quality insights are logically organized, making it easy to browse, search, and edit product information. Everything is right where you expect it to be.
  
• Guided processes with Teamwork Assistant (Enterprise Edition): This feature helps guide users through complex workflows, suggesting what tasks to complete next. It reduces guesswork and makes collaboration across teams easier and more efficient.
  
• Visual data quality insights: Akeneo’s Data Quality Score surfaces areas where product information is incomplete or could be improved. The scoring system is easy to understand at a glance, helping users prioritize enrichment efforts without needing to dig into reports.

Akeneo PIM is ideal for teams who want an easy-to-learn, fast-to-navigate system that minimizes training time. It empowers business users, marketers, and product managers to work independently without heavy reliance on IT support, making it a favorite among organizations that value autonomy and speed.

UI: The Bridge Between Technology and Productivity

UI is all about making complex work simpler, faster, and more accessible. In a world where digital tools are central to daily operations, a strong UI can mean the difference between a tool that empowers your team and one that creates bottlenecks and frustration.

When evaluating a PIM solution — or any business software — the quality of the user interface should be a top priority for all businesses. An intuitive UI accelerates adoption, minimizes training needs, improves accuracy, and boosts the overall productivity of your teams, all while ensuring that users of all technical skill levels can navigate the system with confidence, focus on enriching and maintaining high-quality product data, and adapt quickly to changing business demands.

Good UI design also has a compounding effect:

• Higher usage rates mean better maintained product information.
• Reduced friction leads to faster time-to-market for new products.
• Improved satisfaction reduces employee turnover and reliance on technical support.

Ultimately, the tools you invest in should work for your people — not the other way around.

If you’re looking for a PIM that offers one of the most user-friendly experiences in the market today, reach out to an Akeneo expert today to learn more about how our clean design, intuitive navigation, guided workflows, and helpful visual cues sets us apart as a leader in usability and helps your team get more done with less frustration.

Some products are designed to last a lifetime. Others? Not so much. They’re the items we reach for without thinking — used, replaced, and repurchased in an endless rhythm that quietly powers global commerce.

These goods might not grab headlines, but they fill our cupboards, bathrooms, and shopping carts. They’re fast-moving and deeply embedded in our daily life. And while they may seem simple on the surface, the industries behind them are anything but.

So, what is the name of this fast-paced industry? And why is it so important?

What Are Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)?

Consumer Packaged Goods are non-durable products that households or individuals purchase frequently. Non-durable items refer to products that are either meant to be consumed immediately or have a lifespan of less than three years. Think of everyday essentials such as milk and bread, or clothing driven by the fast fashion industry!

Other examples would be:

• Drinks: juices, soft drinks, water, etc.
• Personal hygiene products: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc.
• Cleaning products: disinfectants, detergents, soap, etc.

Unlike CPG, durable products are made to be repeatedly used and are designed with their lifespan in mind, lasting three or more years. They’re items that are expected to be constantly used while still being in good condition. Examples include:

• Home appliances: refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.
• Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc.
• Electronics: smartphones, televisions, computers, etc.
• Furniture: tables, chairs, beds, etc.

Why CPG Matters Today

Because it involves the products we rely on every single day, CPG is more important than it might seem at first glance. From the moment we wake up to the time we wind down, these goods are there — in our kitchens, bathrooms, and closets — quietly built into our routines, rarely given a second thought.

Besides being (literally) vital to our lives, CGP holds importance because of its:

• Massive market size: The global CPG market is worth around $2 trillion and continues to grow, with industry giants such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, Pepsico, L’Oreal, and more. 

• High purchase frequency: CPG products are purchased frequently, often on a weekly or daily basis. 

• Brand loyalty opportunities: Brand loyalty remains significant in the CPG sector as purchases for these products tend to be more frequent than other longer-use products. For example, 69% of consumers exhibit brand loyalty for CPG products, indicating a strong preference for a familiar face amongst the crowd. 

• Economic engine power: The CPG sector supports millions of jobs worldwide, from manufacturing and logistics to marketing and retail. It’s the backbone of both local and global economies.
• Perfect storm for innovation: The CPG industry is a hotbed for innovation, driven by intense competition and evolving consumer demands. Today, companies are embracing technological advancements such as AI and sustainable tech solutions to streamline operations and enhance consumer engagement.

Current Trends Reshaping the CPG Industry

The CPG industry is in the middle of a makeover — and it’s not just about new packaging. From how products are made to how they land in your cart (digital or physical), consumer packaged goods are evolving fast, and there are a few key trends steering the change.

1. D2C and eCommerce are booming

CPG brands are increasingly skipping the middleman and going direct-to-consumer (D2C) as customers show a growing preference for direct connections with the brands they buy from. Meanwhile, eCommerce growth continues to reshape shopping habits—especially for younger, mobile-first consumers.

2. Sustainability is no longer an option

Consumers are demanding cleaner ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and transparent sourcing—in short, sustainability is their priority. Especially millennials, with 60% willing to pay a premium for sustainably produced products. Brands that don’t walk the sustainability talk risk being left behind.

3. Health and wellness are front and center

Functional foods, clean beauty, and better-for-you options are dominating shelves as consumers prioritize wellbeing over indulgence (at least on weekdays).

4. Private labels are stepping up

Retailers are upping their game with high-quality, lower-priced alternatives. The competition is no longer just between brands — it’s between brand and store. Take Trader Joe’s, for example: over 80% of its products are private label, and many have developed cult followings. From organic snacks to frozen meals, Trader Joe’s has shown that store brands can go toe-to-toe with national names — and often win.

5. Tech is changing how products are made and sold

AI-driven search experiences, QR code-enabled transparency, and even AR try-ons — CPG is embracing digital transformation, one SKU at a time.

These shifts reflect a fast-evolving industry where agility and consumer insight are key. Whether it’s rethinking how products are sold, packaged, or personalized, CPG brands must adapt or risk falling behind in a market where expectations are constantly rising, and loyalty is earned one product at a time.

Key Challenges Facing CPG Brands

In a world of rising costs, unpredictable supply chains, and increasingly demanding consumers who expect more from the brands they buy, CPG brands today are navigating a minefield of complexity, and the margin for error is razor-thin. Let’s take a look at just a few of the most urgent challenges that CPG brands are facing today.

1. Inflation and Cost Pressures

Inflation continues to challenge the economics of CPG operations. Raw materials, packaging components, labor, and logistics are all significantly more expensive than just a few years ago. These rising input costs are putting tremendous strain on profit margins. Brands are faced with a difficult balancing act: increase prices and risk alienating cost-sensitive consumers, or absorb the costs and cut into already-tight margins. Navigating this requires not only smarter pricing strategies but also efficiencies across operations—from procurement to production to product information delivery.

2. Sustainability Demands

Today’s consumers are putting their money where their values are. They expect the brands they buy from to be environmentally responsible, socially conscious, and radically transparent. For CPG companies, this shift translates into a need for more sustainable sourcing, reduced waste, ethical labor practices, and clearer product information. But delivering on these expectations isn’t cheap – or simple. It often involves overhauling supply chains, investing in greener materials, and implementing systems to ensure compliance and communicate these efforts effectively.

3. Channel Complexity

The modern shopper might research a product on TikTok, buy it through a marketplace like Amazon, and then want to return it in-store. That’s the reality of today’s multichannel world. For CPG brands, the challenge isn’t just being present across physical retail, direct-to-consumer (D2C), third-party marketplaces, and social commerce; it’s being consistent on all of these channels. Product data must be accurate, up-to-date, and tailored for every channel and format. A robust Product Information Management (PIM) system can be the lynchpin here, enabling brands to centralize and syndicate product content across touchpoints with speed and precision.

4. Shifting Consumer Behavior

CPG brands can no longer rely on historical buying patterns. Consumer expectations are evolving rapidly, driven by digital fluency, health consciousness, ethical awareness, and a desire for personalization. Whether it’s the rise of plant-based alternatives, the popularity of functional beverages, or demand for clean-label beauty, brands must be attuned to trends and nimble enough to respond. Success depends on a deep understanding of customer motivations, robust product data to support new experiences, and the agility to pivot quickly without compromising quality or trust.

5. Regulatory Compliance is Getting Tougher

From allergen disclosures and environmental labeling to data privacy and extended producer responsibility, regulations in the CPG space are growing in both number and complexity. The EU’s upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) is just one example of legislation pushing brands to deliver detailed, standardized product information. Compliance is not a one-and-done task; it’s an ongoing responsibility that requires cross-functional collaboration and systemized information management. Missteps can lead to financial penalties, product recalls, or long-term brand damage. Staying ahead of regulatory change means investing in tools that make compliance efficient, repeatable, and verifiable.

How PIM Supports CPG Success

In the fast-paced world of consumer packaged goods, managing product information across countless SKUs, markets, and channels can quickly become overwhelming. Creating a single source of truth with a PIM solution ensures product data completeness and legal compliance as well as a consistent brand experience across all existing and emerging sales channels in the CPG space.

By streamlining how information is updated and shared, PIM helps brands reduce time-to-market, improve the customer experience, and keep pace with ever-evolving regulations.. Whether launching a new product, entering a new market, or optimizing for eCommerce, think of PIM as the quiet powerhouse making sure everything stays in sync—without the chaos.

From Pantry Staples to Power Moves

The world of consumer packaged goods may be built on everyday items, but there’s nothing ordinary about the challenges and opportunities it holds. From shifting consumer behaviors and rising sustainability demands to digital disruption and increasing regulatory pressure, CPG brands are being pushed to think faster, act smarter, and deliver more across every channel.

To stay ahead, embracing tools like PIM isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Because in a space where consistency, speed, and trust define success, brands that invest in the right systems today will be the ones that thrive tomorrow.

We are thrilled to share the winners of the annual Akeneo Partner Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of our solution and technology partners who continue to drive excellence across the Akeneo ecosystem. 

Award recipients were selected based on demonstrating exceptional performance in either implementing Akeneo’s Product Cloud solution for their clients or developing a joint technology solution that meets unique customer needs. 

In both cases, partners have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Akeneo ecosystem by acting as advocates for our joint solutions in the broader community and by collaborating to ensure the best customer outcomes and product experience (PX) excellence. 

Global Awards 

MACH Partner Award (Global Technology Partner) – Contentstack

Contentstack, a leading Composable Digital Experience Platform (DXP) provider, empowers organizations to deliver dynamic and personalized digital experiences at scale. Renowned for their innovation and reliability, Contentstack continues to raise the bar for digital content management across industries. 

Growth Award (Global Technology Partner) – Bynder

Bynder is a global leader in digital asset management (DAM), providing a powerful, intuitive platform that simplifies the creation, management, and distribution of marketing assets. Trusted by top brands worldwide, Bynder helps businesses maintain consistency and efficiency in their brand storytelling. 

Innovation Award (Global Technology Partner) –  Ocode 

Ocode specializes in providing secure digital identities for products, enhancing traceability, authenticity, and customer engagement. By bridging the physical and digital worlds, Ocode enables brands to offer enriched product experiences and build greater trust with consumers. 

Activation Award (Global Technology Partner) – Walmart 

Walmart’s commitment to innovation is reshaping retail and digital commerce, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance the customer journey. With a focus on operational excellence and emerging technologies, Walmart is setting new standards for product data management and omnichannel success. 

Regional Awards

Regional Star Award (North America Technology Partner) – Shopify

Shopify continues to lead in enabling businesses of all sizes to create exceptional commerce experiences. With its robust ecosystem and flexibility, Shopify helps brands scale globally, seamlessly managing product information and sales across multiple channels. 

Regional Star Award (Northern Europe Technology Partner) – Cloudinary

Cloudinary’s media experience platform is the go-to solution for managing, optimizing, and delivering visual and rich media at scale. They empower brands to create fast, visually engaging experiences that drive customer interaction and brand loyalty. 

Regional Star Award (Southern Europe Technology Partner) – Algolia

Algolia is the trusted choice for creating lighting-fast, highly relevant search and discovery experiences. Their API-first platform empowers brands to deliver tailored, intuitive search capabilities that enhance product findability and boost conversions. 

Regional Star Award (Central Europe Technology Partner) – SAP

SAP is a global leader in enterprise application software, helping businesses run better with integrated solutions that promote innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Their ongoing commitment to the Akeneo ecosystem strengthens the future of digital transformation and customer experience excellence. 

Growth Awards

Ntara – North America Solution Partner

Ntara is a trusted digital transformation consultancy, specializing in PIM and commerce solutions that fuel business growth. Their strategic approach to data management and user experience drives measurable outcomes for brands seeking to scale digitally. 

Clever Age – Southern Europe Solution Partner

Clever Age is a full-service digital agency, expertly combining consulting, technology, and creative services to help companies thrive in the digital age. Their expertise ensures that PIM initiatives are seamlessly integrated into broader digital strategies. 

TechDivision – Central Europe Solution Partner

TechDivision is a premier digital commerce consultancy known for delivering outstanding PIM implementations and omnichannel strategies. Their technical excellence and business acumen help brands elevate every touchpoint of the customer journey. 

Vaimo – Northern Europe Solution Partner

Vaimo is a global leader in digital commerce and customer experience, offering end-to-end solutions that prioritize seamless integration, data management, and brand loyalty. They remain a trusted partner for organizations aiming to transform their digital presence. 

Impact Awards

Accenture – Southern Europe Solution Partner

Accenture is a global professional services leader driving digital innovation at speed and scale. Their deep expertise across industries, coupled with their commitment to technology excellence, continues to deliver transformative outcomes for clients in the Akeneo community. 

Vincit – Northern Europe Solution Partner 

Vincit is an award-winning digital company known for crafting human-centered, effective digital solutions. With a strong focus on usability and data management, Vincit helps brands build better product experiences that drive measurable business value. 

Hero Awards

O2 Commerce – North America Solution Partner

O2 Commerce brings deep industry expertise and innovative thinking to every PIM and digital commerce engagement. Their agile approach helps brands unlock the full potential of their product data and deliver superior customer experiences. 

CapGemini – Southern Europe Solution Partner

CapGemini is a global digital transformation leader, blending technology innovation with business insights to deliver sustainable, scalable results. Their strategic focus on PIM and PX excellence supports companies as they navigate today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

Diva-e – Central Europe Solution Partner

Diva-e empowered brands to create outstanding, connected digital experiences that engage and retain customers. With their deep PIM expertise and end-to-end services, they help clients transform digital ambitions into reality. 

Start with Data – Northern Europe Solution Partner

Start with Data are the trusted PIM specialists for retailers and manufacturers, delivering independent advice, data strategy, and full lifecycle services. Their expertise helps brands fuel eCommerce growth with complete, consistent, and accurate product information. 

Rising Star Awards

iResponsive Solutions – North America Solution Partner

iResponsive Solutions specializes in delivering customer-first, agile PIM implementations that align perfectly with business objectives. Their tailored, responsive approach ensures brands can scale and evolve quickly in a competitive marketplace. 

Numendo – Southern Europe Solution Partner

Numendo offers expert digital product data management solutions that streamline and elevate product experiences. With a strong focus on innovation and customer-centricity, Numendo helps brands stay competitive and future-ready. 

piazzablu – Central Europe Solution Partner

piazablue delivers tailored digital commerce and data management solutions, enabling brands to optimize product information, streamline operations, and enhance customer engagement across all touchpoints. 

Columbus – Northern Europe Solution Partner

Columbus is a global digital business services provider helping companies transform and future-proof their operations. Their deep experience with PIM and commerce solutions enables brands to unlock new growth opportunities and improve customer experiences. 

Congratulations to all of our 2024 award winners! Our phenomenal network of partners has been instrumental in our journey. We’ve fostered a tight-knit community over the years, and it’s been a pleasure to evolve and expand alongside these remarkable organizations. Together, we are building a thriving ecosystem centered around the product record. 

Learn more about the Akeneo Partner Ecosystem and discover how to get involved in the partner community today. We’ll see you next year for the 2025 Awards!

In case you missed it, our Spring Release was packed with exciting new updates designed to help brands and retailers like yours take product experiences to the next level. These enhancements reflect our ongoing mission to make product experiences smarter, more collaborative, and more aligned with what your customers want.

Here are the top five updates now available within Akeneo PIM that empower you to enrich your product content, streamline operations, and deliver standout customer experiences.

1. Let customer insights power your product content

Your customers are already telling you what they care about through reviews, search behavior, and product interactions. The question is, are you listening?

Now you can, with AI-powered PX Insights. By pulling in insights like top search terms and common review language, PX Insights enables you to incorporate real-life customer insights directly into Akeneo PIM and generate content that speaks directly to your audience’s needs across all channels and platforms.

Your descriptions and other product information can now dynamically reflect evolving consumer interests and trends. This means your content isn’t just accurate—it’s always relevant and resonant.

Learn more about PX Insights

2. Fine-tune AI-generated content with custom prompts

Last year, we introduced GenAI-enhanced enrichment and translation. This year, we’re taking it further by giving you unprecedented control over how AI crafts your product content.

You can now specify how individual product attributes should be handled—whether that means ignoring specific terms, preserving HTML tags, or ensuring a consistent tone across content. Set prompts at the product family level to maintain a distinct voice and style for each category.

Custom prompts also boost translation accuracy and enable faster localization at scale. With the ability to include prompts in automated rules and bulk actions, creating personalized, accurate, and on-brand content is easier than ever.

Learn more about AI-powered custom prompts

3. Strengthen data governance with attribute dependencies

Regulatory compliance can be a major hurdle; in fact, 99% of B2B organizations report facing challenges meeting local and industry-specific regulations. With attribute dependencies, Akeneo PIM provides your team with dynamic, conditional logic that helps automate compliance and improve data quality.

This feature ensures only the most relevant and necessary product attributes are displayed, depending on context, which not only simplifies product data management, but also protects your business from regulatory risk.

Whether you’re aligning with standards like ETIM or preparing for Digital Product Passports, attribute dependencies help ensure your data is compliant and reliable—without the manual effort.

Learn more about attribute dependencies

4. Collaborate more efficiently with enhanced review workflows

Product enrichment is rarely a solo task. To ensure product data is accurate, complete, and brand-aligned, we’ve introduced review steps to Akeneo PIM’s enrichment workflows.

These enhancements streamline collaboration between content creators and approvers. Teams can now leave targeted feedback and instructions directly in Akeneo PIM, making the enrichment process more efficient and transparent.

From validating supplier content to reviewing AI-generated descriptions, this structured workflow ensures that every product record is fully vetted before it goes live—improving trust, consistency, and brand quality.

Learn more about enrichment workflows

5. Customize your workspace with experience extensions

Every business has unique workflows and requirements. That’s why Akeneo PIM now supports experience extensions, allowing you to tailor your interface without custom development or complex integrations.

With experience extensions, you can bring in custom buttons, actions, and pages to display or interact with external tools, datasets, or processes—all within the Akeneo environment.

Whether you need access to external product specs, custom validation tools, or brand-specific workflows, this feature lets you adapt Akeneo to your exact business needs, improving productivity and user satisfaction.

Learn more about Akeneo extensions

Akeneo Spring Release is Here

These latest updates are all about helping you work smarter, move faster, and create product experiences your customers actually want. Whether you’re fine-tuning your content with AI, ensuring compliance without the headaches, or giving your teams better tools to collaborate, there’s something here to make your day-to-day a whole lot easier.

And this is just the start. We’re always continuing to build powerful, flexible tools that grow with you and your business needs.

Curious to see these features in action? Dive in and explore what’s new – we think you’re going to love what’s possible with Akeneo.

“Treat them mean to keep them keen” might work in dodgy dating advice, but it’s definitely not how today’s top brands keep customers coming back for more. The best businesses have ditched that outdated playbook in favor of something far more effective: putting the customer first and making sure they know it.

But it’s not just about showering buyers with promo codes, free shipping, or carefully curated bundles. The smartest brands are going deeper, tapping into customer preferences, frustrations, and thoughts in real-time, and using that insight to continuously improve. 

How? By creating a solid customer feedback loop that turns every opinion into an opportunity!

What is a Customer Feedback Loop?

Just like the name suggests, a customer feedback loop is a continuous process where businesses collect feedback from their customers, analyze it, act on what they’ve learned, and then—crucially—circle back to let customers know their input made a difference. It’s a cycle designed to make sure that businesses don’t get too ahead of themselves or fall behind on their customers’ expectations.

It’s called a “loop” for a reason: it doesn’t end once a change is made. The loop is only complete when the business closes the circle—communicating improvements back to the customers and inviting even more feedback! Rinse, repeat, improve.

The 4 Stages of the Customer Feedback Loop

So, how does this approach work? Well, the customer feedback loop goes through four key stages:

1. Gather the Feedback

The first stage is about putting the focus on your customers’ words—Whether it’s through surveys, reviews, social media comments, support tickets, or chatbots, this is where you tune in and start listening to what your customers are actually saying. 77% of consumers say they have a more favorable view of companies that actively seek and accept customer feedback.

2. Analyze the Feedback

Raw feedback is great, but identifying the patterns and trends is where the magic happens! By analyzing the feedback, you can see what’s working, what’s broken, and what customers are secretly (or loudly) hoping for. Companies that consistently analyze and act on customer feedback see nearly a 10x greater annual revenue increase compared to those that don’t. Let that one sink in.

3. Act on What You’ve Learned

It’s not enough to listen—you’ve got to do something with what you heard. Whether it’s fixing bugs, rolling out new features, or simplifying the checkout flow, this is where your customers start to feel seen, and your customer experience is improved.

4. Close the Loop

Don’t ghost your customers after you’ve made a change! Let them know you heard them and that you acted on that. Following up shows appreciation, boosts brand trust, and encourages even more valuable feedback in the future—which you definitely need.

Why are Feedback Loops Important?

The best way you can know what your customers are thinking is by listening to what they’re saying. Feedback loops give companies a direct line into what customers love, what they can’t stand, and what’s missing. They help brands avoid flying blind or running into preventable problems, instead guiding decisions with real-world input.

In a world where customer expectations evolve faster than app updates, a feedback loop ensures you’re not just always improving, but learning and staying relevant. It’s how good companies become great, and how great ones stay on top.