In today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape, omnichannel transformation is no longer a North American phenomenon—it is a global imperative. Retailers in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions are navigating a unique set of challenges and opportunities as they strive to unify digital and physical channels, meet rising consumer expectations, and drive sustainable growth. At Publicis Sapient, our experience across these diverse markets has shown that while the principles of omnichannel excellence are universal, their application must be tailored to local realities. This deep dive explores how leading retailers in APAC and EMEA are redefining the future of retail, and how Publicis Sapient is helping them succeed.
Retailers in APAC and EMEA operate in environments marked by fragmented technology landscapes, diverse consumer behaviors, regulatory complexity, and supply chain volatility. In APAC, rapid urbanization, mobile-first consumers, and a proliferation of digital marketplaces create both scale and complexity. EMEA, meanwhile, is characterized by mature retail markets, strong local brands, and a growing demand for sustainable, personalized experiences. Across both regions, the need for real-time inventory visibility, flexible fulfillment, and seamless customer journeys is paramount—but the path to achieving these goals varies widely.
A global jewelry brand with a presence in over 100 countries faced a critical challenge: delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for shoppers across APAC, regardless of channel. Manual processes, limited inventory reconciliation, and outdated customer service tools were impeding growth and customer satisfaction. Publicis Sapient partnered with the brand to modernize its order management system (OMS), migrating operations to a cloud-based platform and rolling out new capabilities in Australia and New Zealand as a first step.
Key innovations included:
The results were immediate: greater operational efficiency, improved inventory accuracy, and the ability to scale omnichannel services to new markets. The brand’s transformation demonstrates how tailored technology solutions and local market understanding can unlock new levels of customer satisfaction and business agility in APAC.
In EMEA, Carrefour—a leading hypermarket chain—faced declining foot traffic in traditional stores and fierce competition from both local and international digital players. The retailer’s digital assets were fragmented, mirroring organizational silos and limiting the impact of change. Publicis Sapient partnered with Carrefour to unify its digital vision, break down silos, and accelerate e-commerce growth.
The transformation included:
Within a year, Carrefour saw a 1.5x increase in conversion rates, record-high customer satisfaction, and a dramatic acceleration in the pace of digital innovation. This case highlights the importance of organizational agility and unified digital platforms in driving omnichannel success in EMEA.
Across both regions, several foundational elements underpin successful omnichannel transformation:
Our SPEED methodology—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI—ensures that every transformation is holistic, outcome-driven, and tailored to the realities of each market. We combine deep regional expertise with global best practices, helping retailers:
With a proven track record of delivering measurable results for leading retailers in APAC, EMEA, and beyond, Publicis Sapient is uniquely positioned to help brands modernize, innovate, and lead. Our end-to-end partnership model, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to continuous improvement empower clients to deliver the omnichannel experiences their customers expect—now and in the future.
Ready to transform your retail business for the digital era? Connect with Publicis Sapient’s experts to discover how we can help you unlock the next chapter of growth and innovation in APAC, EMEA, and around the world.