In today’s digital-first world, the transformative power of e-commerce is no longer confined to retail. Industries as diverse as healthcare, automotive, and energy are rapidly adopting digital commerce strategies, fundamentally reshaping how they engage customers, unlock new revenue streams, and drive operational efficiency. The same trends that have revolutionized retail—AI-driven personalization, frictionless payments, and omnichannel experiences—are now being adapted and reimagined to meet the unique needs of these non-retail sectors.
The digital revolution, accelerated by the pandemic and evolving consumer expectations, has created a universal demand for seamless, personalized, and data-driven commerce experiences. Recent research shows that only 46% of consumers globally are satisfied with their digital commerce experiences, highlighting a significant opportunity for non-retail industries to differentiate themselves by delivering superior digital journeys. The expectation for frictionless, personalized, and omnichannel commerce is now universal, creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth across sectors.
Modern consumers expect experiences tailored to their individual preferences, behaviors, and needs. In healthcare, this means offering patients customized digital journeys—such as personalized medicine recommendations, telehealth appointments, and online prescription management—based on their health history and goals. In automotive, AI enables dynamic recommendations for vehicle features, financing options, and aftermarket services, allowing buyers to self-select and personalize their journey from research to purchase. In energy, AI-powered platforms help consumers manage home energy production, usage, and electric vehicle charging, delivering tailored insights and recommendations.
Frictionless payment solutions, once a hallmark of retail, are now table stakes across industries. Healthcare providers are integrating secure, digital payment options for services, prescriptions, and equipment, reducing administrative burdens and improving patient satisfaction. Automotive brands are streamlining the purchase process with online financing, digital contracts, and contactless payments. In the energy sector, digital commerce platforms enable consumers to pay bills, manage subscriptions, and even trade renewable energy credits with ease.
Customers today expect to move effortlessly between digital and physical touchpoints. In healthcare, this means integrating online appointment booking, telemedicine, and in-person care into a unified patient journey. Automotive companies are blending online research, virtual showrooms, and in-dealership experiences, while energy providers are offering digital tools for monitoring usage, scheduling service, and accessing support across web, mobile, and smart home devices.
The healthcare industry is undergoing a major digital transformation. Patients of all ages increasingly expect customized experiences based on their history, demographics, and health goals. Digital commerce is making healthcare more accessible and engaging by enabling online self-service tools, telemedicine, prescription management, and medical equipment shopping. For example, healthcare providers are leveraging digital platforms to offer personalized medicine, seamless appointment scheduling, and integrated patient portals—enhancing satisfaction, loyalty, and quality of care.
The automotive sector is experiencing a groundbreaking shift as consumers prefer to self-select vehicle features and avoid traditional in-person sales. Digital commerce tools now unify the entire car-buying journey, from research to purchase, with personalized recommendations, dynamic financing, and seamless online transactions. Automotive OEMs, aftermarket brands, and mobility retailers are leveraging digital platforms to deliver convenient, tailored experiences that drive engagement and loyalty. For instance, nearly three-quarters of car buyers now want to customize their vehicles online and complete most of the process digitally.
The energy sector is embracing digital commerce to support the transition to sustainable, decentralized solutions. Digital platforms provide centralized data for demand forecasting, smart grid management, and customer engagement. Consumers can now manage home energy production, monitor usage, and control EV charging through intuitive digital interfaces. Predictive analytics optimize energy distribution, while consumer-facing tools empower individuals to make informed decisions about their energy consumption, fostering a more sustainable and customer-centric ecosystem.
Despite rapid progress, friction remains a common pain point across industries. Issues such as confusing interfaces, slow performance, and lack of transparency can erode trust and drive customers away. To succeed, organizations must prioritize:
Publicis Sapient partners with organizations across non-retail sectors to deliver measurable results through digital commerce transformation. Our end-to-end solutions—spanning strategy, design, engineering, data, and experience—enable clients to:
For example, in agriculture, e-commerce platforms have enabled agribusinesses to streamline order management and provide instant access to critical data. Automotive brands are leveraging connected commerce solutions to unify digital sales channels and optimize post-purchase experiences. Energy companies are deploying predictive analytics and consumer-facing tools to optimize grid management and empower customers with greater control over their energy usage.
The expectation for seamless digital experiences is now universal. As industries from healthcare to automotive and energy embrace digital commerce, the leaders will be those who anticipate customer needs, remove friction, and deliver value at every touchpoint. Publicis Sapient stands ready to guide organizations through this transformation—helping them not just meet, but exceed, the evolving expectations of today’s digital-first world.
Ready to unlock new growth opportunities in your industry? Let’s shape the future of digital commerce together.