CQL, a longstanding name in digital commerce and a recognized Shopify Platinum Partner, has announced the acquisition of Riess Group, another Shopify Platinum Partner celebrated for its robust omnichannel solutions serviced to popular retail clients like Warner Brothers Discovery, Stüssy, Perry Ellis, and Fashionphile. This strategic merger blends two agencies highly respected for their expertise in both Shopify ecommerce and advanced point-of-sale (POS) technology, forging a singular entity positioned as the leading provider of unified commerce experiences across the globe.
The acquisition represents a pivotal moment for the Shopify agency landscape, solidifying CQL’s stature as the go-to partner for brands seeking seamless connectivity across digital and physical retail spaces. The transition brings Riess Group’s Owner, Mike Riess, into a new leadership role at CQL as VP of Unified Commerce and Managing Director of EMEA. Riess emphasizes that unified commerce is not merely an emerging trend but has become a consumer expectation: “Unified commerce isn’t a trend it’s the new standard. Consumers expect one brand, one relationship, one frictionless experience,” he explained. This partnership, he affirms, now enables the combined teams to deliver consistently on those expectations for mid-market and enterprise clients.
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Founded in 2006 and operating with teams in both the U.S. and France, Riess Group has spent 18 years developing scalable and high-performance commerce platforms for top brands, making it an especially attractive partner for CQL’s expanding ambitions. Dave Barr, CEO of CQL, describes the acquisition as both mission-driven and responsive to client demands for fully unified commerce. “With Riess Group, we’re now the leading Shopify agency positioned to deliver that across every touchpoint. This acquisition supports our mission to be the go-to Shopify partner for unified omnichannel brand experiences,” Barr stated.
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Now among only a handful of Platinum Shopify agencies in the United States, the newly united organization signals a new standard for the market. By integrating the strengths of both teams spanning strategy, enterprise-level development, design, and POS expertise the agency is uniquely equipped to turn the vision of unified commerce into reality, perfectly aligned with Shopify’s forward-looking strategy. Kim Seabrook, Shopify’s Head of Enterprise, expressed strong support for the partnership, noting, “We’re excited to see CQL break new ground as a holistic agency one that helps brands build beautiful, cohesive customer experiences that drive loyalty and growth across all touch points.”
With an expanded portfolio and deeper capabilities in POS, CQL now stands ready to provide end-to-end, innovative commerce solutions for brands intent on creating dynamic customer journeys from website to point of sale marking a transformative leap in the evolution of agency services within the Shopify ecosystem.
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