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Omnichannel clienteling study

The supply chain behind the digital experience

Clienteling is often viewed as a pre-purchase discipline—the personalized styling, recommendations, and relationship-building that happen before a sale closes. But our research across more than 300 companies shows that the most successful clienteling programs don’t stop at the point of purchase; they intersect directly with a retailer’s supply chain capabilities. And that alignment is increasingly what separates leading programs from lagging ones.

Linking operational execution to customer experience

Our consumer study identifies where retailers are excelling, where gaps remain, and which emerging practices are set to define the next generation of clienteling.

 

These three areas play a key role shaping the post‑purchase experience

Returns remain one of the most expensive and disruptive parts of the retail supply chain, and much of that cost traces back to sizing and fit uncertainty. Leading retailers are investing in tools that help customers choose correctly the first time, reducing returns before they happen rather than managing them after the fact.

Gift-giving introduces a second customer into the equation—the giver and the recipient often have different needs, expectations, and touchpoints with the brand. Leading programs are building gift services that engage both parties meaningfully, from selection through delivery.

Sustainability expectations don’t end when a customer completes a purchase—they extend into how the product actually reaches them. Retailers are exploring a range of options to make last-mile delivery more sustainable.

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