The retail sector in Europe is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rapidly evolving consumer expectations, the rise of omnichannel commerce, and the need for operational agility. At the forefront of this change is Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation partner with a proven track record of helping retailers reimagine their businesses through advanced cloud, data, and AI-driven solutions. Through strategic joint ventures like Sapient.i7 and deep partnerships with technology leaders such as Salesforce, Publicis Sapient is enabling retailers to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences, accelerate time-to-market, and foster lasting customer loyalty.
Publicis Sapient’s approach to retail transformation is rooted in its SPEED capabilities—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI. This holistic methodology empowers retailers to not only adapt to change but to lead it, leveraging the latest in cloud and AI technologies to create meaningful, measurable business impact. The company’s joint venture with TQI Ventures, Sapient.i7, exemplifies this commitment, offering a robust suite of 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’s cloud-based applications and AI capabilities are central to Publicis Sapient’s retail offerings. These technologies enable retailers to unify marketing, commerce, sales, and service functions, creating a 360-degree view of the customer and supporting seamless experiences across digital and physical channels. Publicis Sapient’s early adoption and innovation with Salesforce Data Cloud and Agentforce have positioned it as a market leader, with successful deployments in tier-one retailers and the development of dozens of cross-industry use cases.
The impact is tangible: for a leading UK supermarket, Publicis Sapient created a new e-commerce business, platform, and delivery model that enabled digital growth while maintaining high service levels. This transformation allowed the retailer to respond quickly to market changes, streamline operations, and deliver a frictionless shopping experience that meets customers wherever they are—online or in-store.
A standout example of Publicis Sapient’s impact in retail is its work with L’Oréal. Tasked with defining a new commerce strategy and supporting it with Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Publicis Sapient enabled L’Oréal to launch over 60 direct-to-consumer sites across the Americas. Agile product delivery teams accelerated site rollouts, reducing time-to-market for brand launches from months to weeks. Automated build and release processes resulted in significant annual cost savings, while the flexible platform allowed L’Oréal to adapt rapidly to changing market demands. The result: a quicker, more efficient path to purchase for consumers and a scalable foundation for future growth.
Beyond core commerce and customer experience, Publicis Sapient is investing in AI-driven solutions that address critical retail challenges such as pricing optimization. Through its partnership with Quicklizard, Publicis Sapient brings advanced AI/ML pricing platforms to European retailers, enabling dynamic pricing strategies that maximize profit, minimize markdowns, and respond in real time to market conditions. These capabilities are especially vital as consumers become more price-sensitive and retailers seek to differentiate through smarter, data-driven decision-making.
Publicis Sapient’s leadership in cloud professional services, recognized by industry analysts, ensures that retailers benefit from scalable, secure, and future-ready technology foundations. The company’s expertise in composable commerce—leveraging modular, API-first architectures—enables rapid innovation and integration of new capabilities, supporting retailers as they evolve their business models and customer experiences.
Central to Publicis Sapient’s success is its collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with clients and technology partners to co-create solutions that deliver real business outcomes. The company’s investments in talent, including the recruitment of engineering leaders from top global retailers and technology firms, ensure that clients benefit from world-class expertise and a relentless focus on innovation.
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.