Digital design relaunch as part of a strategic rebrand

valantic Austria took a controlled technical migration approach, securing existing structures while building a new frontend architecture in parallel. By temporarily running two toolchains side by side, the existing conversion and SEO performance remained stable while the shop’s technical foundation was modernized step by step.

At the same time, years of UX and A/B test insights were systematically incorporated into the new frontend logic.

With Pimcore as the central system for content and data, and a cloud-based infrastructure in place, Gabor now operates on a stable, high-performance, and flexibly scalable platform.

What made this project stand out wasn’t just the new design. It was how the project was executed. The new brand identity wasn’t simply “layered” on top of the existing system. It was anchored technically and structurally from the ground up. Connecting emotional brand storytelling with data-driven conversion optimization was central to the project’s success. That balance is exactly what separates a visual refresh from a lasting digital evolution. Go-live happened in mid-February, precisely on schedule. No performance dip. No compromises. Right on time for the spring/summer 2026 collection.

Gabor Shoes GmbH, headquartered in Rosenheim, is one of Europe’s largest and best-known shoe brands. Its roots go back to 1919, when a small shoe and leather goods store laid the foundation for the company it is today. Gabor stands for premium women’s and men’s footwear, comfort technology, and a strong brand presence across Europe.

Since 2020, valantic Austria has partnered with Gabor across e-commerce, content, design, CRO, SEO, and analytics. As part of the current rebranding process, Gabor once again chose valantic Austria as its digital implementation partner, with a clear vision to sustainably unify brand development and performance.

valantic Austria’s interdisciplinary teams spanning development, UX/UI, SEO/CRO, commerce, and content worked closely with the responsible departments at Gabor. The external brand agency delivered the new visual concept, which valantic Austria technically and structurally translated into the frontend in close coordination.

Regular alignment sessions ensured that design specifications, functional requirements, and existing performance targets came together seamlessly. Clear prioritization, transparent communication, and structured project management enabled a smooth delivery through to a successful go-live.

The project’s objective was to carry the new brand identity consistently into the digital shopping experience while protecting the existing performance. A key priority was ensuring the relaunch would not compromise visibility or conversion. At the same time, the goal was to establish a stable technical foundation for the shop’s continued development. The focus was on a modern frontend architecture capable of delivering new requirements faster.

Today, Gabor operates a cloud-based frontend structure that runs the shop reliably and makes future expansions significantly easier.

After roughly ten months of project work, the new store went live on schedule. The new design was implemented consistently and cleanly, without impacting existing conversion or SEO performance. With the frontend modernization complete, Gabor now operates on a cloud-based architecture. The relaunch demonstrates that brand development and performance aren’t mutually exclusive. They just have to be planned together, strategically.

The partnership between Gabor and valantic Austria is built for the long term and consistently focused on progress in digital commerce. Data-driven UX optimization, ongoing SEO support, and continuous A/B testing keep the shop improving and expanding strategically. The relaunch creates the technological foundation for Gabor’s next steps in digital commerce.