Transforming European Retail: Composable Commerce and AI-Driven Personalization with Salesforce

European retail is at a pivotal moment. As consumer expectations soar and omnichannel journeys become the norm, retailers must deliver seamless, personalized experiences across every touchpoint—while navigating complex regulations, operational challenges, and fierce competition. Publicis Sapient, in partnership with Salesforce, is leading this transformation, empowering retailers to accelerate innovation, drive loyalty, and future-proof their businesses through composable commerce and AI-powered solutions.

The European Retail Challenge: Complexity Meets Opportunity

European retailers face a unique landscape. Diverse consumer behaviors, strict data privacy laws (such as GDPR), and the need to operate across multiple markets and channels demand agility and compliance. At the same time, the rise of digital-first engagement, direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, and the expectation for real-time personalization are reshaping the industry. Success now hinges on the ability to unify data, orchestrate omnichannel experiences, and innovate rapidly—without being constrained by legacy systems.

Composable Commerce: The Foundation for Agility and Innovation

Composable commerce is a modular, API-first approach that breaks down traditional monolithic platforms into best-of-breed components—such as product search, checkout, content management, and personalization. Each component can be selected, integrated, and updated independently, enabling retailers to:

Publicis Sapient’s composable commerce accelerator, built on the RACE (Rapid Accelerator for Commerce Engineering) framework, enables retailers to transform their commerce capabilities in as little as 6–18 weeks. Pre-built integrations with partners like Algolia (for intelligent search) and Amplience (for experience management) further accelerate time-to-market and reduce risk.

AI-Driven Personalization: Turning Data into Loyalty

Personalization is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity. Salesforce’s AI ecosystem, including Data Cloud and Einstein AI, empowers retailers to unify customer data, orchestrate real-time journeys, and deliver hyper-personalized experiences at scale. Out-of-the-box features like Einstein Insights, Send Time Optimization, and generative AI tools enable:

Through partnerships with AI/ML platforms such as Quicklizard, Publicis Sapient brings advanced dynamic pricing capabilities to European retailers, maximizing profit and minimizing markdowns while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Meeting Europe’s Unique Needs: Compliance, Localization, and Speed

European retailers must balance innovation with compliance. Salesforce’s Einstein Trust Layer and robust data governance frameworks ensure that sensitive customer information remains secure and compliant with GDPR and other regulations—while still enabling powerful AI-driven insights and personalization.

Publicis Sapient’s joint venture, Sapient.i7, exemplifies the commitment to local expertise. By combining deep industry knowledge with Salesforce’s world-class cloud and AI platforms, Sapient.i7 delivers tailored solutions for large European enterprises, unlocking new levels of personalization, loyalty, and operational efficiency.

Real-World Impact: Success Stories

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

L’Oréal partnered with Publicis Sapient to define a new commerce strategy and implement Salesforce Commerce Cloud across more than 60 direct-to-consumer sites. Agile product delivery teams reduced time-to-market for brand launches from months to weeks, while automated build and release processes delivered significant annual cost savings. The result: a faster, more efficient path to purchase, uninterrupted service, and a scalable foundation for future growth.

Leading UK Supermarket: Frictionless Omnichannel Experience

For a major UK supermarket, Publicis Sapient created a new e-commerce business, platform, and delivery model. This enabled rapid digital growth, high service levels, and a frictionless shopping experience—online and in-store. The transformation allowed the retailer to quickly adapt to market changes and streamline operations, setting a new standard for omnichannel retail in Europe.

Actionable Steps for Retail Leaders

  1. Assess AI and Composable 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 and Salesforce?

Retailers across Europe choose Publicis Sapient and its joint ventures for their 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.