For over 170 years, Maggs has been sourcing and selling literary masterpieces. Their legacy is built on extensive knowledge, trust, and a deep appreciation for the book as a timeless collectible item. Being custodians of such a legacy, they needed a digital presence that reflected the knowledge, care, and craftsmanship that defines their work.

Managing a collection of more than 25,000 books—6,000 of which are available online—had become more challenging, and Maggs's online platform no longer served them as it should. The new site needed to be highly functional but also convey Maggs' philosophy that books are more than mere objects; they are parts of history to be revered. Additionally, since every team member is a business partner, it was imperative that the whole team see the value of a thoughtful, human-centred change.

Maggs approached us to create a digital platform that would honour their legacy while meeting the practical demands of their evolving inventory and customer base. The brief called for a site that could carry the weight of their heritage while offering a seamless, user-friendly experience for both casual browsers and serious collectors.

To begin, we immersed ourselves in their world—visiting historic London sites, researching their archives, and understanding the nuances of their curating, selling, and sharing practices. These early visits gave us a unique opportunity to study artefacts from their collection, particularly those that showcased innovative uses of typography and print. This insight laid the foundation for a digital experience that feels like a true extension of Maggs' identity.

Our approach was rooted in deep research, respect for tradition, and a desire to create a platform that felt as carefully curated as the collection itself. Every decision — from structure to styling — was guided by a commitment to preserving the integrity of Maggs’ legacy while supporting the team’s day-to-day needs.

We developed a hybrid platform that seamlessly integrates editorial content with e-commerce functionality. This allows Maggs to share the rich stories behind their collections while simplifying discovery and purchase for users. Inspired by the typography and printed materials encountered during our early visits, we crafted a visual language that feels tactile and timeless — balancing elegance, legibility, and accessibility. The result is a design that evokes the experience of sitting with one of their treasured volumes.

Handling an inventory of over 25,000 unique items demanded a tailored approach. We built a custom tagging and categorisation system to support easy navigation for both seasoned collectors and casual browsers. At the heart of this was Sybil, Maggs’s long-standing internal database. Rather than replace it, we developed a custom middleware that connects Sybil to Shopify, preserving decades of invaluable data while enabling a smooth, modern user experience.

We paid close attention to how collectors interact with Maggs, both online and in person. The site’s interactions are calm and deliberate, echoing the care of a real-world visit. We developed a system for optimising high-quality book imagery without compromising performance, ensuring details remain clear and loading times stay fast. And with tools like print-friendly item summaries and bespoke collection curation, we extended Maggs’s personal, considered service into the digital space.