BioWorld International needed to retire an unstable Magento 1 store that was hurting conversions and customer trust. StageBit led a full Magento 2 migration, resolved critical checkout and code issues and rebuilt performance for a scalable B2B wholesale eCommerce platform serving the UK and Europe.
We help B2B and DTC brands modernise legacy Magento stores with secure migrations, performance optimisation and long-term scalability.
Sales uplift
+89%
Post-migration conversion growth.
User retention
83%
Improved customer stickiness.
Bounce rate reduction
55%
Cleaner UX & faster checkout.
Traffic growth
+259%
Performance & stability gains.
The New Magento 2 Storefront
Key screens from the migrated Magento 2 platform, showing the improved navigation, faster checkout, cleaner code architecture and modern B2B wholesale experience built for long-term growth. The original Magento 1 site is no longer live, so these screens show the platform as it runs today.
Rebuilt from Magento 1 on a stable Magento 2 foundation with improved performance, cleaner navigation and scalable architecture for wholesale buyers across the UK and Europe.
Products are organised through a cleaner Magento 2 catalogue structure, helping distributors and retailers locate inventory faster while reducing navigation friction.
Cleaner layouts, improved product information hierarchy and performance optimizations help buyers move from product discovery to purchase with less friction.
The Magento 2 storefront was optimized across mobile devices, delivering faster page loads, improved usability and a more consistent B2B purchasing experience.
Client Overview
BioWorld International is a global manufacturer and distributor of licensed apparel, accessories and home goods, running its licensed apparel ecommerce operations on Magento. Founded in 1998, the company partners with some of the world’s most iconic entertainment and lifestyle brands, supplying retailers across multiple regions.
Operating as a B2B wholesale distributor, BioWorld manages a complex catalog spanning 20+ product categories and serves distributors, specialty retailers and online partners across the UK and Europe.
What BioWorld asked for
“Our Magento 1 store is unstable, slow and hurting conversions. We need a reliable migration to Magento 2, a working checkout and a platform that can support long-term B2B growth without disrupting ongoing operations.”
The Challenge
When we audited BioWorld’s legacy Magento 1 store, the risks were immediately clear. Magento 1 reached end of life years ago, and the years of patchwork development that followed had resulted in unstable code, broken checkout flows and poor site performance across devices.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts with other agencies, BioWorld needed a partner who could stabilise the platform first, then execute a clean Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration with measurable improvements in performance, UX and conversion.
Goals & success criteria
Before starting the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration, we aligned with BioWorld International on a clear set of success criteria. As a B2B wholesale brand operating across the UK and Europe, the new platform needed to be stable, faster and ready to support large catalog operations without disrupting day-to-day sales.
The platform needed to clearly support BioWorld’s wholesale model, including login-based pricing and distributor-focused UX.
Beyond migration, Magento 2 had to support future features, higher traffic and increased conversions without rework.
Magento 2 migration features
The Magento 2 upgrade wasn’t just a platform change. We streamlined the catalogue, optimized checkout and implemented custom features that improved both user experience and operational efficiency for this B2B wholesaler.
Navigation
We implemented a mega menu that allows buyers to quickly browse products by category, collection, or brand, making it easier to find wholesale products.
Checkout
We optimized the checkout flow to ensure smooth purchasing, integrating PayPal and Stripe to support UK and EU B2B transactions effectively.
Back-office & Operations
Orders, including dropship lines, are synced seamlessly with the back-office system, reducing manual reconciliation and keeping fulfillment and finance teams aligned.
Data & Logistics
We implemented real-time address validation and shipping label automation to reduce failed deliveries, improve data quality and enhance customer satisfaction.
None of these were separate add-ons. The mega menu, the one-page checkout, the dropship order sync and the address validation all had to work together, because a wholesale buyer placing a bulk order shouldn’t notice four different systems talking to each other behind the scenes.
Approach
BioWorld International needed a seamless Magento 2 migration without disrupting B2B operations or customer experience. The project ran over 10 weeks, completed in June 2024, from initial audit through post-launch monitoring. Our strategy focused on stabilizing the site, fixing legacy code issues, optimizing checkout and validating data in stages so launch day was smooth and predictable.
Phase 1
Comprehensive review of Magento 1 store, including extensions, custom code and checkout flow. We identified glitches, performance bottlenecks and areas requiring custom development for Magento 2.
Phase 2
Legacy code was refactored for performance and maintainability. Magento 2 storefront was built with custom features such as wholesale-focused UX, secure login-to-view pricing and improved checkout processes.
Phase 3
Multiple dry-run migrations ensured all products, orders and customer data transferred accurately. Checkout, payment and shipping workflows were tested end-to-end to prevent surprises on go-live.
Phase 4
Magento 2 went live after parallel validation, with no disruption to BioWorld’s ordering during the switchover. Full monitoring, bug fixes and support were provided to maintain uptime, smooth operations and a positive B2B shopping experience.
Platform & Integrations
Our approach focused on combining Magento 2 with carefully selected integrations for payments, shipping and user management. Each component was chosen to support a seamless wholesale shopping experience while keeping operational complexity minimal for the client.
Storefront
Tailored specifically for wholesale buyers with intuitive navigation and a responsive design that adapts to all devices.
Payments
Integrated PayPal and Stripe solutions provide safe, flexible and fast transactions across the UK and Europe.
Shipping
Sendcloud ensures timely deliveries with integrated tracking, labels and automated returns for an efficient logistics flow.
UX & Engagement
Designed to enhance the B2B shopping experience and maximize engagement through intelligent UI patterns and account-specific pricing.
The pieces work together rather than sitting side by side. PayPal and Stripe handle UK and EU transactions directly inside Magento 2’s checkout, Sendcloud takes care of labels and tracking the moment an order ships, and the login-to-view pricing sits on the storefront itself instead of being bolted on as a separate plugin.
Results
Migrating BioWorld International’s store to Magento 2 improved performance, reliability and overall user experience. As a result, backend operations became simpler for the internal team too.
Performance & Load Times
Home, category, product, checkout
Mixed 50–70
Heavy scripts, slow mobile and desktop experience
90+ Lighthouse scores
Optimized code, faster checkout and responsive design
Checkout & UX
Navigation, search, login functionality
Glitches and multi-step checkout
Confusing flow and limited UX guidance
Streamlined one-page checkout
Login-to-see-price feature, guided wholesale experience
Code Quality & Stability
Bugs, vulnerabilities and legacy code
Multiple glitches, poor code structure
Frequent issues affecting performance and reliability
Clean, optimized Magento 2 code
Resolved all bugs, refactored legacy code, enhanced security
Business Metrics
User retention, sales, bounce rate, traffic
Unoptimized flows, lost customers
High bounce rates and lower conversion
83% user retention
89% uplift in sales, 55% drop in bounce rate, 259% traffic increase
Because of the migration, BioWorld International now has a fully optimized, glitch-free platform. Customers can enjoy faster navigation, reliable checkout and a seamless wholesale experience, while internal teams can manage operations without constant firefighting.
Since the foundation is clean, the team can now expand product offerings, launch targeted campaigns and implement automation, all on a stable, scalable infrastructure.
Next steps
BioWorld International’s migration demonstrates how a well-planned Magento 1 → Magento 2 project can improve performance, streamline operations, and deliver a superior customer experience. If your store faces similar challenges, a short, focused roadmap session is the ideal first step.
Ideal for B2B and DTC merchants with complex operations, multiple integrations, or plans to scale on a performance-focused Magento 2 platform.
More client stories
If BioWorld International’s Magento 1 → Magento 2 migration resonates with your project, these case studies highlight our approach to Magento, Hyvä, Shopify, and other complex ecommerce platforms.
Let's spend 30 minutes on your store. Rohit Kundale, our Founder & Lead Engineer, takes the first call himself.
Times shown in your local timezone. CET-friendly slots available Monday to Friday.
Times shown in your local timezone. CET-friendly slots available Monday to Friday.
+632% Revenue Growth
