The retail and consumer products sectors have undergone seismic shifts in recent years, with the pandemic acting as a catalyst for change that was already underway. Today, the imperative for digital business transformation is not just about keeping pace—it’s about survival, profitability, and creating the next generation of customer experiences. At Publicis Sapient, we partner with leading retailers and consumer product companies to help them navigate this new landscape, integrating omnichannel strategies, modernizing supply chains, and leveraging data and AI to drive both profitability and engagement.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital channels, but the story doesn’t end there. Consumers now expect seamless, personalized experiences across every touchpoint—online, in-store, mobile, curbside, and beyond. Our research shows that 75% of U.S. consumers are fully omnichannel, fluidly moving between digital and physical channels. For retailers, this means that omnichannel is no longer a differentiator; it’s the baseline for relevance and growth.
Retailers and consumer product companies have responded by rapidly standing up new capabilities—curbside pickup, same-day delivery, virtual assistants, and endless aisle solutions. Yet, the challenge is not just launching these features, but integrating them into a cohesive, data-driven ecosystem that delivers value for both the customer and the business. Publicis Sapient’s SPEED framework—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data—ensures that these capabilities are not siloed, but work in concert to unlock new sources of value.
While digital sales have soared, profitability remains a critical concern. Our recent executive research found that nearly half of brick-and-mortar retailers with e-commerce channels report that online sales are less profitable than in-store, and even pure-play e-commerce retailers struggle to hit profit targets. The reasons are clear: rising logistics costs, supply chain complexity, and the need for significant investment in technology and talent.
Retailers know what needs to be done—90% of leaders say they understand the levers for improving profitability—but only 44% feel equipped to execute. The barriers? Organizational silos, legacy technology, data complexity, and inconsistent priorities. Publicis Sapient helps clients break through these barriers by aligning strategy and execution, modernizing technology stacks, and building agile, cross-functional teams that can respond to market shifts in real time.
The supply chain has moved from a back-office function to a boardroom priority. Disruptions exposed the fragility of traditional models, but they also created an opportunity for reinvention. Today’s leading retailers are investing in supply chain visibility, automation, and AI-driven optimization to reduce costs, improve fulfillment speed, and enhance the customer experience.
For example, we’ve partnered with global retailers to implement AI-powered route optimization, reducing delivery times and emissions while improving customer satisfaction. We’ve also helped clients deploy micro-fulfillment centers and dynamic inventory management, enabling same-day delivery and curbside pickup at scale. These initiatives not only drive operational efficiency but also unlock new revenue streams and business models.
Data is the connective tissue of modern retail and consumer products. The ability to collect, analyze, and act on data in real time is what separates leaders from laggards. AI and advanced analytics are powering everything from hyper-personalized marketing to dynamic pricing, inventory forecasting, and customer service automation.
Publicis Sapient’s SPEED approach places data and AI at the heart of transformation. We help clients build unified data platforms, break down silos, and deploy AI solutions that drive measurable business outcomes. Whether it’s optimizing product recommendations, predicting demand, or automating customer support, our focus is on delivering value at every stage of the customer journey.
The next frontier is not just digital—it’s human. As technology becomes more pervasive, the brands that win will be those that use digital to create more meaningful, personalized, and emotionally resonant experiences. This means designing journeys that are intuitive, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of customers.
Our work with leading brands demonstrates the power of this approach. From building immersive, omnichannel experiences to launching new digital business models, we help clients reimagine what’s possible. The result: increased loyalty, higher lifetime value, and a sustainable competitive advantage.
Digital business transformation in retail and consumer products is complex, but it’s also an unprecedented opportunity. Publicis Sapient brings deep sector expertise, a proven transformation framework, and a track record of delivering results for some of the world’s most iconic brands. Our SPEED philosophy ensures that strategy, product, experience, engineering, and data are integrated to drive continuous innovation and growth.
In a world where change is the only constant, we help our clients not just adapt, but lead—unlocking new sources of value, building future-ready business models, and creating experiences that help people thrive in the brave pursuit of next.