Fenwick

Building an eCommerce Function from Scratch

Overview

Fenwick is a heritage UK department store with over 100 years of retail history, undergoing a major digital transformation to launch its first transactional eCommerce platform.

Cranberry Panda partnered with Fenwick from the outset of this journey, supporting the build-out of its entire eCommerce and digital function.

The Challenge

As Fenwick transitioned into eCommerce, the business faced a number of complex hiring challenges. The success of the project depended on securing the right talent to launch and scale the new digital platform.

Greenfield build

No existing eCommerce team — required building an entire function from scratch

Transformation environment

Hiring needed to align with a broader digital transformation programme

Attracting top talent

Convincing high-calibre candidates to join a legacy retailer entering eCommerce

Multiple roles & functions

Requirement to hire across trading, product, analytics, and leadership

Our Approach

We partnered closely with Fenwick as a strategic talent partner, supporting the build-out of their eCommerce capability end-to-end.

This included:

Placing the Director of eCommerce as the first key leadership hire
Supporting the hiring of the entire eCommerce and digital team
Delivering talent across trading, product, analytics, and project functions
Acting as an extension of the internal team throughout the transformation journey

Results

35+

hires delivered across the eCommerce and digital function

Successfully

supported the launch of Fenwick’s first eCommerce platform

Built

a fully functioning digital team from scratch

Established

a long-term partnership throughout the transformation

Roles Placed

Director of eCommerce

Online Trading Managers

Online Category Managers

Product Owner

Project Manager

Digital Analytics Manager

Additional eCommerce & digital roles

Impact

Cranberry Panda played a critical role in enabling Fenwick’s transition into eCommerce by building the team responsible for launching and scaling its digital platform.

By delivering high-quality talent across multiple functions, we helped transform a traditional retail business into a modern, omnichannel organisation.