5 Reasons Why Shopify Is No Longer the Right Choice for European Retailers in 2025

Introduction

As European retail seeks to reinvent itself, a fundamental trend is accelerating: the quest for technological independence. After years of entrusting our data and customer relationships to American platforms, we’re witnessing a collective awakening. Shopify, long considered the go-to solution for e-commerce, now shows significant limitations when facing the specific challenges of the European market. Between rising prices, omnichannel integration complexities, and digital sovereignty concerns, retailers are searching for credible local alternatives. In this landscape, Wishibam is emerging as the effective alternative to Shopify, offering a truly European approach to retail digitalization. This article explains why an increasing number of businesses are choosing to regain control of their digital destiny, and how this transition can happen without compromising performance.

Why Retailers Are Seeking Shopify Alternatives in 2025

Shopify: A Solution Drifting Away from European Needs

Let’s be honest: Shopify revolutionized global e-commerce. The Canadian platform democratized online retail access with an intuitive interface and impressive app ecosystem. However, what was once an asset is gradually becoming a liability for European retailers. I recently spoke with the digital director of a French brand operating in seven European countries. His assessment was clear: “Each year we pay more for a solution that increasingly fails to understand our local specificities.”

• Shopify’s continuous price increases create a significant burden for European retailers. Since 2021, some plans have gone up over 33% without true enrichment of the core platform.
• Every additional omnichannel feature—often critical for European commerce—means more apps, more recurring costs, and further complexity.
• Customer data is processed and stored on North American servers, raising concerns about GDPR compliance and digital sovereignty.
• Local customization is limited. Adapting the platform to European VAT, payment methods, or delivery standards regularly requires expensive developments.

A report published by CNIL in January 2024 highlighted the legal risks associated with using non-European SaaS solutions for customer data processing.

The Strategic Shift in Retail: Sovereignty, Omnichannel, and Proximity

The context has radically changed. According to a 2024 Forrester study, 73% of European retailers now consider regaining control of their data a strategic priority. This isn’t just a technical question but a survival issue in an environment where customer relationships are the primary asset.

• Omnichannel operations are no longer optional; they’re expected by consumers who want seamless journeys between digital and physical retail.
• Geographical, cultural, and visionary proximity are now critical in choosing a digital partner.
• Resilience, revealed as vital during successive crises, depends on mastering and quickly adapting your digital tools.

Wishibam: French Tech Empowering Retailers

A Platform Designed for City Centers, Brands, and Property Owners

Wishibam was born from a conviction: physical retail has a future, provided it reinvents itself with digital as an ally. Our platform was designed from the start to address the specific needs of European retail stakeholders—shopping centers, multi-store brands, city center shops.

• Omnichannel features (click & collect, real-time inventory, unified baskets) are native, not add-ons.
• Integration with existing systems (ERP, CRM, POS) is seamless, thanks to connectors built for European retail realities.
• Deployment is fast: entire shopping centers or store networks can be operational in a matter of weeks with a standardized, proven approach.

Digital Sovereignty, Ethics, and Performance: Wishibam’s Winning Trio

• Wishibam’s infrastructure is 100% hosted in Europe for full GDPR compliance and digital sovereignty.
• Transparency: Clear, ethical data practices with clients and end users.
• Performance: 250% growth in 2024, 2+ million products managed, and over 5,000 merchants onboarded—including collaborations with Westfield and the City of Paris.
• Tangible benefits: Shopping centers see an average 15% increase in store foot traffic and 22% revenue growth for merchants.
• Inclusiveness: Whether you’re a major retailer or an independent shop, Wishibam scales to your needs and supports your growth.

How to Switch from Shopify to Wishibam Without Losing Performance

A Guided Migration with a True Retail Partner

Transitioning platforms is often seen as daunting. Wishibam makes this move smooth, thanks to a tested methodology and human support at every step.

• Personalized ecosystem audit: We analyze your current Shopify setup, identifying both assets and bottlenecks.
• Clear migration roadmap: Jointly defined milestones and goals, measurable progress at every stage.
• Seamless data transfer: Automated migration tools for catalogues, customer history, and SEO settings ensure continuity.
• Human-centric training: Tailored sessions (on-site or remote) empower sales, management, and marketing teams to take full command of their new tools.
• Proactive ongoing support: After go-live, our experts help continuously optimize your strategy and performance.

Concrete Results: More Traffic, More Sales, More Loyalty

• One shopping center equipped in 2024 saw a 38% increase in online revenue after just six months.
• Click & collect drives traffic: 65% of online buyers chose in-store pickup, with additional sales generated 42% of the time upon collection.
• Personalized journeys: Each touchpoint—web, app, store terminal, or sales assistant—creates a seamless experience, increasing engagement and loyalty.
• Advanced analytics: Our dashboard reveals customer behaviors and growth opportunities for hyper-targeted marketing.
• Brand example: A fashion retailer in 35 cities achieved a 27% higher conversion rate and a virtuous cross-channel sales cycle six months after switching.
• Loyalty: Multi-channel customers see their lifetime value triple compared to single-channel contacts. Wishibam empowers you to maximize every interaction.

Customers who interact with a brand across multiple channels have a lifetime value up to three times higher than single-channel customers. Wishibam gives you the tools to cultivate this privileged relationship and transform each interaction into a loyalty opportunity.

Conclusion

Wishibam isn’t simply a Shopify alternative. It’s a comprehensive response to the specific challenges of European retail. In a world where digital sovereignty becomes a strategic issue, where omnichannel is no longer optional but necessary, and where customer proximity makes the difference, our platform offers a European path to retail digitalization.

• Tangible results: Revenue up, customer experience improved, physical stores re-energized.
• Empowerment: You regain control of your brand, data, and destiny, without sacrificing growth.
• Inclusiveness: Tools and support that celebrate your specificities and enhance your values.

For retailers wanting to regain control of their digital destiny without sacrificing performance, the time to act is now. The transition to a more sovereign, integrated model closer to your values has never been more accessible. At Wishibam, we believe tomorrow’s retail is being built today, at the intersection of physical and digital, with tools that respect your specificities and enhance your identity. This is the vision we put at our clients’ service every day, to make European retail a model of innovation and resilience.

FAQ: Wishibam, the Effective Shopify Alternative

Charlotte Journo-Baur, Founder of WISHIBAM