commercetools setup in eight weeks: Bravobike and SHOPMACHER disprove the myth of uncontrollable composable commerce

Anyone looking to transition their online shop to a modern composable commerce tech stack may quickly become unsettled by tales of uncontrollable project complexity and lengthy timelines. Bravobike and the e-commerce agency SHOPMACHER implemented a new online shop MVP based on commercetools in just eight weeks. This demonstrates that anything is possible with focused effort.

About Bravobike

The Munich-based company Bravobike aims to professionalize and digitize the second-hand bicycle market. Since its founding in September 2018, the company has operated the online shop Gebrauchtradstudio.de, selling high-quality used bikes, mostly sourced from leasing returns. In addition to the online shop, Bravobike also ran a separate buy-back site.

Challenge

Four years after its founding, the old platform had become outdated. Founder Axel Donath and his team decided to replace Gebrauchtradstudio.de with a new, unified brand: JobRad Loop. This new platform would represent the sale of used bicycles and serve as a flexible base for future business model expansions. The agency SHOPMACHER was chosen as the implementation partner.

Clear Prioritization and Focus on Key Business Processes

To maintain focus and discipline, the team set an extremely tight deadline: a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) covering the key business processes was to be ready in just eight weeks. This proof of concept (POC) would lay the groundwork for replacing the main shop. “With this timeline, it was clear: we need to prioritize effectively, concentrate on the essential business processes, and define the frontend features that provide real value,” says Carsten Dütschke, Head of Development at SHOPMACHER. “In such projects, the technology becomes a secondary concern. What’s important is who decides what and when.”

The final to-do list included four points:

• Building a basic frontend that can be expanded.
• Defining product types (e.g., basic information, attribution).
• Connecting Nekom as a cloud ERP to manage the necessary data processes.
• Integrating the payment service provider Mollie.

For the technical implementation, Bravobike opted for a modern, cloud-based, and API-driven approach. The core consists of commercetools Composable Commerce and commercetools Frontend, which provide a flexible and scalable e-commerce platform built on MACH principles that enable companies to run their commerce business with complete control of their customer-facing layer.

Nekom was chosen to handle business processes. “Nekom is essentially a middleware solution,” explains Dütschke. “However, it also offers some PIM and ERP functions that facilitate a quick start for an MVP. And that was exactly our goal.” The tech stack is completed by Mollie as the payment service provider.

Project and Requirements Management in-House

Another unique aspect of the project was the unconventional distribution of roles: Bravobike managed the project and requirements independently, while SHOPMACHER provided two developers who worked closely with the client. Additionally, consultants from the Shopmacher Consulting Unit contributed system architecture concepts, including system visualizations, data flow models, and decision templates. This approach allowed Bravobike high flexibility and control over the development process, but also required a significant degree of responsibility and technical understanding on the client’s part.

An unexpected obstacle arose from the incomplete integration of the chosen payment provider. Because the payment provider did not offer all the necessary functions, SHOPMACHER quickly adjusted and enhanced the solution.

After Jobrad Loop initially ran parallel to the existing shop Gebrauchtradstudio, the necessary next development steps were identified and executed. The advanced MVP has since successfully replaced Gebrauchtradstudio.de. The new platform now provides the opportunity to further establish itself as a central hub for the purchase of professionally refurbished used bicycles. “This project is a prime example that composable commerce doesn’t necessarily come with overwhelming complexity and exploding project timelines,” summarizes Carsten Dütschke. “What matters are clear prioritization, focus on essential requirements, efficient communication, and, of course, experienced specialists. With this approach, ambitious timelines can also be achieved.”

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