When Orkla decided to modernize its digital commerce ecosystem across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, the goal was to replatform to Centra for headless commerce and Storyblok for content management. The ambition was to create a more flexible and scalable setup that could support multiple brands and markets, while also reducing complexity in daily operations. Beyond Retail was asked to support the process and provide both project leadership and operational stability during the transition.

Over a period of six months, we took on the role of project leader and interim Head of eCommerce, acting as a link between Orkla’s commercial teams, IT department, and the system integrator. This role included translating business requirements into technical priorities, facilitating decision-making across departments, and ensuring that the project moved forward according to plan. By combining strategic oversight with hands-on involvement, we could help maintain momentum and reduce risk during a complex change process.

Our responsibilities included:

• Project management – defining scope, creating clear timelines, aligning stakeholders, and making sure dependencies were handled in the right order. We also supported Orkla in structuring their internal project governance to ensure effective collaboration.
  
• System migrations – managing the transfer of product data, customer information, and website content to the new platform. This involved validating data quality, identifying gaps, and coordinating testing to secure a smooth handover without disruption for end users.
  
• Integration oversight – ensuring Centra and Storyblok were correctly connected to Orkla’s existing infrastructure and third-party systems. This meant working closely with IT and the integrator to troubleshoot issues, clarify requirements, and test integrations before launch.
  
• Operational support – taking responsibility for ongoing eCommerce operations during the transition. This included monitoring performance, supporting daily activities, and preparing Orkla’s team to take full ownership after the project phase ended.
  

The result of this work was a modern, headless commerce foundation that provides Orkla with the flexibility to adapt and scale their digital channels over time. With Centra and Storyblok in place, they now have a setup that allows for faster content updates, improved operational efficiency, and a stronger platform for future growth.

Key Outcomes

• Faster Time-to-Market – Campaigns and product launches can be executed more quickly thanks to streamlined workflows.
  
• Reduced Manual Work – Product updates, order management, and content publishing require less manual intervention.
  
• Improved Team Collaboration – Commercial, IT, and content teams can work more seamlessly together.
  
• Scalable, Flexible Platform – The headless setup supports growth across multiple brands and markets.
  
• Operational Efficiency – Day-to-day eCommerce operations are simpler, freeing up resources for strategic initiatives.