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    Omnichannel Strategy • Customer Experience

    How Do Retailers Build a True Omnichannel Customer Experience?

    Unifying store, web, mobile and social into one continuous experience — the four pillars (data, journey, fulfilment, service) and the Salesforce stack that makes it real.

    18 min readPublished January 2025Retail Strategy
    Quick Answer

    How do retailers build a true omnichannel customer experience?

    Customers see one brand; retailers see disconnected systems for store, web, mobile and service.

    Retailers build a true omnichannel experience by unifying customer profile, inventory and order data on Salesforce Data Cloud, orchestrating journeys across web, mobile, store and social through Marketing Cloud, enabling buy-anywhere/fulfil-anywhere with Commerce and OMS, and giving service agents one view across channels. The four pillars — unified data, connected journey, flexible fulfilment, consistent service — turn channel sprawl into a single, loyalty-building experience.

    Four Pillars of Omnichannel

    The Foundation of a Unified Retail Experience

    Unified Customer Data
    Single profile across store, web, app, loyalty and service.
    Connected Journey
    Personalised, channel-aware marketing and product discovery.
    Flexible Fulfilment
    BOPIS, ship-from-store, curbside, returns-anywhere.
    Consistent Service
    Agents see every channel and order in one view.

    In today's digital-first world, customers expect seamless experiences whether they're shopping online, in-store, or through mobile apps. An effective omnichannel strategy isn't just about having multiple channels—it's about creating a unified, consistent experience that adapts to how customers want to engage with your brand.

    73%

    Of consumers use multiple channels during their shopping journey

    287%

    Higher purchase rate for omnichannel customers

    90%

    Of customers expect consistent interactions across channels

    Understanding True Omnichannel Strategy

    Omnichannel retail goes beyond multichannel selling. It's about creating interconnected experiences where customers can seamlessly move between channels while maintaining context, preferences, and progress throughout their journey.

    Multichannel (Siloed)

    • • Separate channel operations
    • • Inconsistent customer data
    • • Different pricing and promotions
    • • Limited cross-channel visibility

    Omnichannel (Unified)

    • • Integrated channel ecosystem
    • • Unified customer profiles
    • • Consistent brand experience
    • • Seamless channel transitions

    Core Components of Omnichannel Excellence

    Unified Customer Data

    Create a single source of truth for customer information across all touchpoints.

    • • 360-degree customer profiles
    • • Real-time data synchronization
    • • Cross-channel behavior tracking
    • • Preference management

    Inventory Management

    Maintain real-time visibility of inventory across all channels and locations.

    • • Unified inventory pool
    • • Real-time stock updates
    • • Cross-channel fulfillment
    • • Intelligent allocation

    Technology Integration

    Leverage technology to connect all systems and enable seamless experiences.

    • • API-driven architecture
    • • Cloud-based platforms
    • • Mobile-first design
    • • IoT integration

    Analytics & Insights

    Use data analytics to understand customer behavior and optimize experiences.

    • • Customer journey mapping
    • • Performance dashboards
    • • Predictive analytics
    • • A/B testing capabilities

    Essential Omnichannel Touchpoints

    Physical Stores

    Transform physical locations into experience centers that complement digital channels.

    • • In-store pickup and returns
    • • Digital kiosks and tablets
    • • Mobile point-of-sale systems
    • • Augmented reality experiences
    • • Clienteling applications
    • • Endless aisle capabilities
    • • Location-based notifications
    • • Smart fitting rooms

    E-commerce Platform

    Create a robust online presence that integrates seamlessly with other channels.

    • • Responsive web design
    • • Real-time inventory display
    • • Multiple payment options
    • • Personalized recommendations
    • • Flexible fulfillment options
    • • Customer reviews integration
    • • Live chat support
    • • Social media integration

    Mobile Applications

    Develop mobile apps that serve as the central hub for customer engagement.

    • • Native app experiences
    • • Push notifications
    • • Barcode scanning
    • • Loyalty program integration
    • • GPS-enabled store locator
    • • Mobile payments
    • • Offline functionality
    • • Social sharing features

    Omnichannel Implementation Roadmap

    Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)

    Technology Infrastructure

    • • Audit existing systems
    • • Design integration architecture
    • • Implement customer data platform
    • • Establish data governance

    Process Alignment

    • • Map current customer journeys
    • • Identify pain points
    • • Define success metrics
    • • Create omnichannel team

    Phase 2: Integration (Months 4-8)

    Channel Connectivity

    • • Connect inventory systems
    • • Integrate order management
    • • Unify customer profiles
    • • Enable cross-channel fulfillment

    Experience Enhancement

    • • Deploy mobile applications
    • • Upgrade in-store technology
    • • Implement personalization
    • • Launch loyalty programs

    Phase 3: Optimization (Months 9-12)

    Advanced Features

    • • AI-powered recommendations
    • • Predictive analytics
    • • Advanced personalization
    • • Automated marketing

    Continuous Improvement

    • • Performance monitoring
    • • Customer feedback analysis
    • • A/B testing programs
    • • Regular optimization cycles

    Measuring Omnichannel Success

    Customer Experience Metrics

    • • Net Promoter Score (NPS)
    • • Customer satisfaction scores
    • • Customer effort score
    • • Channel satisfaction ratings
    • • Resolution time across channels

    Business Performance Metrics

    • • Cross-channel conversion rates
    • • Average order value by channel
    • • Customer lifetime value
    • • Inventory turnover rates
    • • Revenue per customer

    Future of Omnichannel Retail

    Emerging Technologies

    • • Voice commerce integration
    • • Augmented reality shopping
    • • IoT-enabled experiences
    • • Blockchain for supply chain
    • • 5G-powered experiences

    Customer Expectations

    • • Instant gratification delivery
    • • Hyper-personalized experiences
    • • Sustainable shopping options
    • • Social commerce integration
    • • Privacy-first interactions

    Ready to Build Your Omnichannel Strategy?

    Create unified customer experiences that drive loyalty and growth. Our omnichannel experts can help you design and implement a strategy that works for your business.

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