In today’s retail landscape, the supply chain has evolved from a back-office function into a strategic engine for growth, customer satisfaction, and resilience. As consumer expectations for speed, flexibility, and seamless omnichannel experiences continue to rise, retailers are under mounting pressure to modernize their supply chains. The convergence of cloud migration, real-time data integration, and AI-driven analytics is enabling this transformation—unlocking new levels of efficiency, agility, and profitability across the retail value chain.
Many retailers still operate with legacy systems and fragmented data silos. These outdated infrastructures make it difficult to deliver on omnichannel promises, such as buy online/pick up in store (BOPIS), ship-from-store, and hassle-free returns. The result? Missed sales, higher operational costs, and eroded customer loyalty. Manual workarounds and slow decision-making can no longer keep pace with the demands of today’s digital-first shoppers, who expect real-time inventory visibility, fast fulfillment, and personalized experiences at every touchpoint.
Cloud-based transformation is reshaping retail supply chains by providing a flexible, scalable, and integrated foundation for innovation. By migrating critical supply chain applications and data to the cloud, retailers can:
A leading example from another industry—Chevron’s migration to a cloud-based data platform—demonstrated the power of integrating over 200 data pipelines, supporting rapid development, and enabling real-time insights for over 400 users. These same principles are now being applied to retail, where the need for speed, flexibility, and data-driven decision-making is even more pronounced.
Seamless omnichannel fulfillment depends on accurate, up-to-the-minute inventory data and the ability to orchestrate orders across stores, warehouses, and last-mile delivery partners. Real-time data integration enables:
For example, a major U.S. sports retailer partnered with Publicis Sapient to modernize its commerce platform and processes. By implementing a cloud-based digital commerce platform and re-architecting the order management system, the retailer achieved 170% faster order processing during peak periods, improved system integration, and robust scalability—enabling seamless customer experiences and reliable omnichannel fulfillment.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing every aspect of the retail supply chain. By embedding AI into decision-making processes, retailers can:
One leading grocer, for instance, reduced its demand forecasting error rate by 75% using an AI-based system, resulting in significant savings and improved agility. Another retailer leveraged AI to optimize returns management, identifying high-return items and adjusting product recommendations to reduce costly returns.
The shift from legacy systems to cloud-based, integrated supply chain platforms delivers measurable business impact:
A large domestic retailer, previously constrained by a legacy on-premises commerce system, partnered with Publicis Sapient to migrate to a cloud-based, headless commerce platform. The results were transformative: a $30M lift in holiday sales, a 25x increase in enhancement frequency, a 50% decrease in development costs, and an 80% reduction in on-premise costs—all while improving site performance and customer satisfaction.
Cloud-enabled supply chain transformation is not just about technology—it’s about reimagining the supply chain as a value chain that drives growth, resilience, and customer loyalty. Retailers that invest in cloud migration, real-time data integration, and AI-driven analytics are better equipped to:
With decades of digital transformation expertise and a global team of experts, Publicis Sapient helps retailers modernize their supply chains from strategy through execution. Our end-to-end solutions span cloud migration, data integration, AI-powered analytics, and change management—ensuring that transformation delivers measurable business impact.
Ready to turn your supply chain into a strategic asset? Connect with our experts to start your journey toward efficiency, agility, and profitable growth in the digital era.