Future-proof e-commerce architecture for Thieme: Shopware 6.6 with headless approach
synaigy supports the Thieme Group in switching to a modern, flexible, and low-maintenance shop architecture including headless frontend, central headless CMS, and optimized UX/UI.
Project profile
- GoalFuture-proof and adaptive architecture through Shopware update, headless frontend, and optimized user experience
- Duration8 months
- SystemShopware, Sanity
- IndustryMedia company focused on medicine/healthcare
- TypeB2C
- OnboardingSupport and further development since 2024
Our services
Our starting situation
At Thieme, numerous individual adjustments over time have led to significant deviations from Shopware standards.
This made maintenance cumbersome, hindered further development, and resulted in high risks and resource demands for updates to new versions.
Additionally, there was a desire to enhance user-friendliness and update the interface to meet modern design standards. Both of these goals should also comply with the Accessibility Strengthening Act. At the same time, it became clear that more sales channels should be integrated in the future. Therefore, a CMS was also needed that can centrally manage content and distribute it across channels consistently and efficiently.
Against this background, Thieme decided to switch to a headless architecture, with a stable, standard-compliant Shopware backend as a basis and a flexible, independent frontend that provides room for modern UX and UI concepts.
Approach and solution
synaigy took over the support of the Shopware landscape in early 2024 and accompanied the media company from the beginning in the relaunch of its webshop. After initial work on the update to Shopware 6.5, the project for redesign began in January 2025.
In a joint workshop, synaigy and Thieme concretized the headless strategy. For content management, synaigy initially presented the headless CMS Storyblok as a possible solution. Thieme ultimately decided on Sanity to ensure uniform standards across the group.
synaigy implemented the project in four steps:
Technical architecture
Building a headless structure with a decoupled frontend and Shopware backend.
System update
Migration to Shopware 6.6 as a stable, low-maintenance basis.
Frontend development
Development of new UX/UI components in the design sprint, incorporating the Thieme Design Library and the accessibility requirements of the BFSG.
CMS integration
Implementation of Sanity for central, cross-channel content management.
A particular challenge lay in the timing dependency between backend update and frontend implementation. Since the new frontend was not available in parallel with the migration, the teams coordinated deployments, interfaces, and test processes precisely.
Synaigy proved to be a reliable partner on par in challenging project phases, supporting us excellently with high commitment and strong professional competence.
Results
Through close collaboration with synaigy, Thieme was not only able to modernize its existing shop architecture but also create a future-proof foundation for the entire digital sales strategy. The transition to a headless architecture combines the stability of a standard-compliant Shopware backend with the flexibility of a decoupled frontend. As a result, new UX and UI requirements can be implemented much faster without increasing the maintenance workload. At the same time, the integration of Sanity has made content management significantly more efficient: content can now be managed centrally and played out consistently across channels.
Overview of benefits:
Technical stability and future security
The update to Shopware 6.6 provides a robust basis for continuous further development - updates can be implemented more easily and with less risk.
Flexibility for the user experience
The decoupled frontend enables modern designs, better performance, and the implementation of legal requirements like the BFSG without system breaks.
Efficiency in content editing
With Sanity, content can be created and managed across channels - reducing redundancies, speeding up processes, and ensuring consistent brand messages.
Scalability for future growth
New sales channels can be quickly integrated into the existing architecture - a key advantage for the planned expansion to more sales channels.
Strategic added value
The company gains the freedom to test and implement digital business models more quickly with the new architecture - with a clear impact on revenue, efficiency, and customer experience.
Revenue increase
The new design and additional features immediately improved the conversion rate and thus the revenue.
Outlook
The new architecture lays the foundation for the further development of the digital sales strategy. In the next step, Thieme will replace the previous shop of a subsidiary and integrate it as an independent sales channel in the Shopware instance. The insights gained from the project will directly flow into the next phase, ensuring an even smoother implementation.
The collaboration with synaigy during the UX/UI sprint was consistently very pleasant. Thanks to clear communication and well-prepared designs, we were able to give approvals in record time. It was simply fun!
Are you planning a Shopware update or a headless relaunch?
Let's talk about your project.
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