The verdict in three sentences
For a Manchester maker of linen bedding and towels selling to consumers and to hotels and guest houses, Shopify is the best fit in 2026 when direct sales and exports to Ireland and the EU lead the plan, with a build cost of 12,000 to 38,000 GBP as a market ballpark. PrestaShop comes a close second, and can win outright if hotel trade accounts drive most of the revenue, because customer groups and volume pricing are built in. Adobe Commerce, at 60,000 to 170,000 GBP, only makes sense with several brands, a far larger catalog and an in-house development team.
The ranking
Budgets are 2026 market ballparks for 300 to 1,200 variants (bed sizes, colours, finishes). No integrator is named; Kolonell appears as one option among others.
| Rank | Option | Build cost | Recurring cost | Timeline | Exit terms | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopify | 12,000 to 38,000 GBP | monthly subscription, public pricing varies by plan, plus apps | 2 to 4 months | average, theme and apps rebuilt if you leave | consumer led, exports, small tech team |
| 2 | PrestaShop | 15,000 to 42,000 GBP | hosting, modules, support | 3 to 5 months | very good, open source | hotel trade heavy, budget focus |
| 3 | Adobe Commerce | 60,000 to 170,000 GBP | licence or cloud fee, pricing on request, heavy upkeep | 6 to 12 months | average, complex platform | several brands, large catalog, dev team |
| Option | Kolonell Premium site | 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA) | support from 53 to 183 EUR a month | 21 to 30 working days | code handed over | fast launch of a tight range |
Kolonell's prices exclude options: ecommerce for 50 to 500 products 760 EUR (500,000 FCFA), customer area 230 EUR (150,000 FCFA), each extra language 110 EUR (75,000 FCFA).
The criteria that decide it for a linen maker
| Criterion | Shopify | PrestaShop | Adobe Commerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel trade pricing by volume | higher plans or an app | customer groups and tiered prices built in | native, very complete |
| Variants (300 to 1,200) | check variant limits per product for your plan | native, watch performance at several thousand | native |
| Shipping to Ireland and the EU | built in international selling tools, duties and taxes depending on plan | multi-currency, carrier modules | native, multi-site |
| Trade portal (quotes, repeat orders) | higher plans or apps | modules | native |
| 3 year cost in our example | middle | lowest | highest |
| UK support | large partner network | smaller UK ecosystem | specialist integrators, few |
Since Brexit, shipping to Ireland and the EU means customs declarations and EU VAT handling, often through the EU's Import One Stop Shop for low value parcels. Check how each platform and your carrier handle duties before launch, so customers are not surprised by charges on delivery.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Emma, founder of a linen bedding maker in Manchester, compares 3 year costs for 800 variants. Shopify: 26,000 GBP build, about 5,500 GBP a year for subscription and apps plus 2,000 GBP a year for a trade portal app, so 48,500 GBP. PrestaShop: 29,000 GBP build and 4,800 GBP a year for hosting, modules and support, so 43,400 GBP. Adobe Commerce: 105,000 GBP build and 22,000 GBP a year, so 171,000 GBP. Emma picks Shopify because 70 % of revenue is direct and export, and its international tools save about 6 hours a week on customs paperwork, worth roughly 9,400 GBP a year at 30 GBP an hour, more than the 5,100 GBP gap with PrestaShop over 3 years.
FAQ
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Which platform suits a bedding brand selling to hotels and consumers?
Shopify if consumers and exports lead, PrestaShop if hotel trade accounts dominate. Build costs run 12,000 to 42,000 GBP as a 2026 market ballpark.
Can Shopify handle hotel trade pricing?
Yes, but advanced B2B features sit on higher plans or need apps. Over 3 years that often adds 4,000 to 9,000 GBP to the budget.
Is Adobe Commerce too heavy for a linen maker?
For 300 to 1,200 variants and one brand, usually yes. At 60,000 to 170,000 GBP to build, it pays off mainly for multiple brands or countries.
How do we handle shipping to Ireland and the EU after Brexit?
Plan for customs declarations, EU VAT and clear duty handling at checkout. With 20 % to 40 % of revenue abroad, set shipping rules per country in the specification from day one.
How long does a new store take?
Allow 2 to 4 months on Shopify, 3 to 5 on PrestaShop and 6 to 12 on Adobe Commerce. Avoid going live right before the January sales or the hotel refurbishment season.
Let's scope your project. Send us your variant count, hotel trade terms and export markets, and we will price the platform that fits best, with a realistic budget and timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
