Distributor of leading kitchen, homeware & lifestyle brands

EA Symmons

Bringing a heritage business online with a modern B2B commerce experience

BIGCOMMERCE

INTERNATIONAL

STORE DEVELOPMENT

DESIGN & UX

Mobile website homepage for EA Symmons, a distributor of kitchen and homeware brands in Ireland, featuring categories for kitchenware, cookware, tea & coffee, cups & bottles, and on-the-go items.
A vintage photograph of five people standing outdoors in front of a building with greenery, with a large logo with the number '75' and the letter 'S' overlapping the bottom center of the photo.

EA Symmons is one of Ireland’s most established distributors of kitchen and homeware brands. For over 75 years, the company operated entirely offline — customers would place orders via catalogues or phone. But with the business entering a new phase of growth, they partnered with us to take their operations online for the first time.

The goal: to create a customer-focused B2B store that simplified ordering, respected long-standing relationships, and positioned Symmons for the digital future.

Mobile app screens displaying kitchenware products, with a search bar, product categories, and images of knives and kitchen tools.

Designing a modern store for traditional buyers

We began with discovery — mapping out buyer habits, exploring account structures, and working closely with the team to understand how relationships shaped transactions. From there, we created a tailored ecommerce design that mirrored the simplicity of a physical catalogue but with all the advantages of online. The custom design reflects the brand’s modernised identity, while placing clarity and ease of use at its core — making it quick for trade customers to browse, log in, and order at their agreed rates.

Online product page for a Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker in silver with black handle, displaying options for colors and sizes, price, stock status, and add to cart button.
Three pastel-colored water bottles in blue, yellow, and cream, decorated with daisies, against a gradient background.
Welcome to EA Symmons company presentation with a logo and text describing their history and distribution of kitchen and homeware brands, over a background image of people in business attire.

Building around complexity — without showing it

BigCommerce was selected for its B2B capabilities and flexibility. We extended the platform with custom account logic, role-based pricing, and approval workflows — making sure new users could browse but only order once verified. Our development team worked carefully within the Cornerstone framework, balancing future-proofing with bespoke functionality. The result is a robust yet manageable system that gives the Symmons team the tools they need to run and scale their store with confidence.

Using AI to streamline product data

Preparing product data for import was a major task, with thousands of SKUs needing to match BigCommerce’s strict formatting. Rather than process everything manually, we used AI tools to structure and validate the data. This approach saved time, improved accuracy, and freed up the team to focus on other critical parts of the build.

Screenshots of an online kitchenware store website showcasing various categories such as kitchenware, cookware, tea & coffee, reusable cups and bottles, bathroom, cleaning, and organization. The website features brands, best sellers, and featured products like a carousel of kitchen utensils, pots, reusable cups, food storage containers, and an about section highlighting the company's history and customer support.
Mobile screen showing a home appliance supplier's promotional webpage with a headline about family-run business since 1949, a list of benefits, a red call-to-action button to request a trade account, and logos of brands Joseph Joseph and Thermos.
A lunchbox with fresh fruit salad, chocolate candies, a sandwich, chips, and small containers of popcorn, jelly beans, and yogurt on a purple tablecloth.

Setting the stage for digital transformation

This project represents a major shift for the business. By moving online, EA Symmons can now offer customers a faster, more convenient way to order — while opening up opportunities for cross-selling and tailored promotions that simply weren’t possible with static catalogues. The result is a modern B2B commerce store built on strong foundations, ready to grow and evolve with the business.

Online shopping website displaying various travel bottles, including Arctic White, Blush Pink, Abyss Black, Rosehip & E/Berry, and Patchwork Bloom, with prices and discounts.

The outcome

The new store is already being well received by customers — bringing new efficiency to long-standing trade relationships. Internally, the team now has greater control and flexibility, with a digital platform built for the future. As the client put it, “It offers us a new way of engaging with people — and we know it will be an important investment for years to come.”

“We also love our new site, and are excitedly hearing from our customers about its usability and function. It offers us a new way of engaging with people and we know it will be an important investment for years to come. We would highly recommend Strawberry for their expertise, their service and their incredible team of people who are a joy to work alongside.”
— Jamie Symmons - Sales Director

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