Smith’s POV on Composable Storefronts
The digital commerce landscape is evolving rapidly, and legacy storefronts are struggling to keep pace. At Smith, we believe the shift to a composable, headless architecture isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic imperative.
The Clock Is Ticking on Accelerator Storefronts
SAP’s Accelerator Storefront is approaching end-of-life. By Q3 2028, support will officially end, and new builds will require restructuring to align with SAP’s modern releases. Businesses that delay risk falling behind on security, innovation, and performance.
Why Composable Matters
Composable storefronts offer more than just technical benefits—they unlock business agility. With a decoupled front end, brands can:
- Scale horizontally to handle traffic spikes and growth
- Deliver consistent experiences across channels
- Enhance security by isolating core systems
- Innovate faster with modular updates
SAP’s Composable Storefront, built on Angular and powered by RESTful APIs, is optimized for cloud-native deployments and future-proofed for SAP’s roadmap.
What It Takes to Transition
Moving to a composable storefront involves:
- Installing the new storefront framework
- Decoupling backend code
- Re-implementing UX customizations
Smith recommends pairing this transition with a site redesign to modernize the user experience and maximize ROI.
Timing Is Everything
Start sooner if:
- You’re planning a redesign
- You’re adding new features
- Your front-end tech debt is high
Start later if:
- You’ve recently revamped your site
- Your performance is strong
- Your business direction is uncertain
Regardless, aim to begin before Q4 2027 to stay ahead of SAP’s timeline.
Choosing the Right Storefront
Smith outlines three primary options:
- Commerce Vendor: Best for long-term vendor alignment; low investment but tightly coupled.
- Third-Party ISV: Ideal for flexible, less complex solutions; pricing may vary.
- Custom: Offers full control for global, multi-site needs; requires strong architecture.
Each path has trade-offs in cost, flexibility, and complexity. Smith helps clients navigate these choices based on their unique goals.
Beyond the Frontend: Unlocking Business Value
Composable architecture enables integration with tools like Emarsys for transactional emails, AI Toolkit, and Intelligent Commerce Search. These capabilities drive personalization, performance, and marketing independence.
Ready to make the move? Smith is here to help you transition with confidence and build a future-ready commerce experience.