Q&A: Chris Timmer, CEO, Linnworks
A respected CEO and industry veteran, Chris Timmer brings three decades of leadership experience spanning sales, marketing and operations in supply chain management and software. He is responsible for leading the company’s overall operations, with direct oversight of sales, marketing, professional services, research, development and strategy.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I’ve been working in the supply chain technology sector for about 30 years, helping businesses scale efficiently and solve complex operational challenges. Before joining Linnworks, I led eoStar as CEO, driving significant growth and client success. Before that, served as Chief Revenue Officer at BluJay Solutions (now E2Open). Joining Linnworks was a natural next step, allowing me to combine decades of expertise with my passion for simplifying operations and empowering retailers to grow globally.
What does your company do? / What is your USP?
We simplify ecommerce for sellers by connecting them to over 100 marketplaces and automating critical processes like inventory management, order processing, listings, and shipping. What sets us apart is our ability to not only integrate with leading platforms like Amazon, eBay, and TikTok Shop but also provide access to a large ecosystem of partners, be that shipping couriers, 3PLs, ecommerce agencies or returns management platforms like Loop Returns. Our goal is simple: to help businesses grow by taking care of the operational heavy lifting, so they can focus on their products and customers.
Never Miss a Retail Update!What’s special about the platform and your approach?
Our platform is designed to make life easier for sellers. It’s not just about connecting to marketplaces—it’s about creating an ecosystem that simplifies the entire process of selling. From enabling real-time inventory visibility to providing tools for efficient order management, Linnworks is built to help businesses scale without adding complexity. Additionally, our people make us special. Our mentality is that we measure our success by our customers’ success through all that we do. For instance, we take pride in our ability to onboard customers quickly and effectively, often getting them fully operational within weeks, so they see results right away.
What advantage does it add?
The biggest advantage we offer is efficiency. By consolidating all sales channels into one platform, we save sellers hours of time every day. Sellers no longer need to manually log into multiple portals to download orders or update inventory. This not only reduces errors but also improves the overall customer experience. Our platform allows sellers to expand into new markets seamlessly, ensuring they have the right stock in the right places to meet demand.
How does a product/service implementation actually look like and how do you measure success?
Our implementation process is highly collaborative. We work closely with each customer to understand their unique needs and set up the platform accordingly. Success for us is about delivering measurable results. For example, customers like Life Interiors have seen order processing times reduced by 40% and overselling cut by 30%. These metrics are a clear indication that the platform is helping them grow efficiently and profitably.
How are retailers using your systems to gain competitive advantage and what does best practice look like? Can you share a case study with us?
Retailers use Linnworks to drive efficiency, scale operations, and access new markets. A great example is Spreetail, a global ecommerce accelerator. Spreetail partnered with Linnworks to expand their presence in Europe, achieving a remarkable 6x growth in just two years. By leveraging Linnworks’ centralized platform, Spreetail streamlined inventory management, automated order processing, and optimized their operations across multiple European marketplaces. It meant they could scale without adding unnecessary complexity. Their success showcases how embracing automation and real-time insights can unlock significant growth opportunities for retailers.
Are there other companies you partner with?
Absolutely. Our ecosystem is built on strong partnerships with marketplaces, logistics providers, 3PLs, agencies, tech platforms, and marketplace connectors..the list goes on. These collaborations allow us to offer a broader range of solutions, from simplifying returns to enabling cross-border shipping. For example, our integration with Mirakl gives consumers access to an additional 300 marketplaces, giving them the opportunity to reach more customers and continue to scale efficiently.
What challenges and opportunities do you see in UK retail for 2024 / What challenges are retailers facing in 2024?
Retailers are facing rising costs, economic uncertainty, and the increasing complexity of managing operations across multiple channels. However, there’s also an incredible opportunity to expand into emerging marketplaces and leverage technology to drive efficiency. Sellers who can adapt quickly to these changes—whether by automating processes or diversifying their sales channels—will come out ahead.
How will you address these challenges and turn them into successes?
Linnworks addresses these challenges by providing sellers with the tools they need to operate more efficiently and scale confidently. For instance, our integrations with marketplaces open doors to new customer bases, while our automation features ensure sellers can manage growth without additional strain. By helping retailers focus on their strengths—like product development and customer experience—we enable them to turn challenges into opportunities.
What is on the horizon for you as a company?
We’re focused on continuing to expand our value to our customers by driving innovation into our product lines while expanding our ecosystem and enhancing our platform to meet the evolving needs of retailers. One of our key priorities is adding new marketplace integrations to provide sellers with access to more channels where their customers are shopping. Recently, we’ve integrated with TikTok Shop and SHEIN, two of the fastest-growing marketplaces out there, offering significant opportunities for retailers to reach new audiences. These additions reflect our commitment to staying ahead of ecommerce trends and enabling our customers to grow in both established and emerging markets.
Any final thoughts?
Ecommerce is evolving at an incredible pace, and staying competitive requires the right tools and partnerships. At Linnworks, we’re here to help sellers navigate this complexity and unlock growth opportunities. Whether you’re looking to streamline supply chain management, access new marketplaces or scale globally, we’re committed to being the partner that helps you scale.
To find out how Linnworks can help your retail operation, connect with them here.
