Transforming Retail with AI-Driven Customer Engagement: The European Perspective

In the dynamic world of European retail, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and Salesforce is redefining how brands engage customers, drive loyalty, and achieve operational excellence. As consumer expectations soar and regulatory demands intensify, retailers must deliver seamless, personalized experiences across every channel—while ensuring compliance and agility. Publicis Sapient, in partnership with Salesforce, is at the forefront of this transformation, helping European retailers harness the power of AI to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

The New Retail Imperative: Omnichannel, Agile, and Data-Driven

European retailers today face a complex environment shaped by omnichannel commerce, shifting consumer behaviors, and the need for rapid innovation. Success hinges on the ability to unify customer data, deliver consistent experiences across digital and physical touchpoints, and respond quickly to market changes. Publicis Sapient’s SPEED capabilities—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI—empower retailers to not only adapt but lead in digital transformation.

Localized Expertise and Strategic Partnerships

A standout example is Sapient.i7, a joint venture with TQI Ventures, delivering Salesforce-powered services tailored to the unique needs of large European enterprises. By combining deep industry expertise with Salesforce’s world-class cloud and AI platforms, Sapient.i7 helps retailers unlock new levels of personalization, loyalty, and operational efficiency across the customer journey.

Salesforce and AI: Powering the Next Generation of Customer Engagement

Salesforce’s AI ecosystem is central to Publicis Sapient’s retail transformation strategy. The platform’s capabilities extend far beyond traditional CRM, offering:

Real-World Impact: Success Stories from European Retail

Leading UK Supermarket: Digital Growth and Frictionless Experience

A major UK supermarket partnered with Publicis Sapient to create a new e-commerce business, platform, and delivery model. This enabled rapid scaling of digital operations, high service levels, and a frictionless shopping experience—online and in-store. The transformation allowed for quick adaptation to market changes and streamlined operations, setting a new standard for omnichannel retail.

L’Oréal: Accelerating Time-to-Market and Driving Loyalty

L’Oréal’s collaboration with Publicis Sapient exemplifies agile, AI-driven transformation. By defining a new commerce strategy and supporting it with Salesforce Commerce Cloud, L’Oréal launched over 60 direct-to-consumer sites across the Americas. Agile product delivery teams reduced time-to-market for brand launches from months to weeks, while automated build and release processes delivered significant cost savings. The result: a faster, more efficient path to purchase and a scalable foundation for future growth.

Dynamic Pricing with AI/ML Platforms

Through its partnership with Quicklizard, Publicis Sapient brings advanced AI/ML pricing platforms to European retailers. These solutions enable dynamic pricing strategies that maximize profit, minimize markdowns, and respond in real time to market conditions—crucial in an era of heightened price sensitivity and fierce competition.

Meeting Europe’s Unique Regulatory and Market Challenges

Omnichannel Integration and Composable Commerce

Publicis Sapient’s expertise in composable commerce—leveraging modular, API-first architectures—enables rapid innovation and integration of new capabilities. Retailers can evolve their business models and customer experiences without being constrained by legacy systems.

Data Privacy and Compliance

With the EU’s strict data regulations (such as GDPR), compliance is non-negotiable. Salesforce’s Einstein Trust Layer and robust data governance frameworks ensure that sensitive customer information remains secure and compliant, while still enabling powerful AI-driven personalization and insights.

Rapid Time-to-Market

Agile delivery models and automated processes ensure that new features, campaigns, and channels can be launched quickly, keeping pace with changing consumer demands and market opportunities.

Actionable Steps for Retail Leaders

  1. Assess AI Readiness: Evaluate your current data, technology, and organizational maturity. Publicis Sapient’s AI Scorecard and Value Alignment Labs provide structured frameworks to identify gaps and opportunities.
  2. Prioritize High-Impact Use Cases: Focus on initiatives that deliver measurable value—such as personalized marketing, dynamic pricing, and omnichannel service.
  3. Strengthen Data Governance: Invest in data quality, privacy, and integration to unlock the full potential of AI-driven engagement.
  4. Embrace Agile and Composable Architectures: Enable rapid innovation and adaptability by moving to modular, API-first platforms.
  5. Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning: Equip teams with the skills and resources needed to harness AI and Salesforce’s evolving capabilities.

Why Publicis Sapient?

Retailers across Europe choose Publicis Sapient for its ability to deliver end-to-end transformation—combining strategic vision, deep industry knowledge, and technical excellence. Whether launching new digital businesses, optimizing omnichannel operations, or harnessing the power of AI for personalization and pricing, Publicis Sapient is the partner of choice for retailers seeking to thrive in the digital age.

Ready to transform your retail business? Discover how Publicis Sapient’s Salesforce and AI-driven solutions can help you deliver seamless experiences, accelerate growth, and build lasting customer loyalty.