Retailers nowadays face unprecedented competition and heightened customer expectations. Shoppers are now demanding personalized, instant, and frictionless experiences across every channel. Winning their attention and their loyalty takes more than intuition. Hence, retail marketing managers and e-commerce leaders are on the lookout for powerful automation to help with campaigns with precision and scale. 

With the right retail marketing automation tools, marketers can transform how brands plan, execute, and analyze campaigns, delivering relevant offers at just the right moment, all the while building authentic relationships that last. 

Why Marketing Automation Matters in Retail

Marketing automation has now become indispensable in retail, allowing brands to deliver highly personalized shopping experiences that meet rising consumer expectations. By automating repetitive campaign tasks, retailers are able to achieve greater efficiency. This frees up resources to focus on nurturing leads and delivering targeted, timely offers across both online and offline channels. 

The impact is real, as for every $1 spent on marketing automation, retail brands are seeing an average return of $5.44, making this technology a smart investment for growth-driven teams. By automating routine tasks and tapping into actionable insights, marketers are able to build more authentic relationships and continuously refine their campaigns for stronger results.

It’s this combination of efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and truly personalized interactions that sets modern retailers apart. Marketing automation is essential for brands aiming to increase sales, boost loyalty, and thrive in a dynamic industry.

10 Best Retail Marketing Automation Tools

To help you find the tool that fits your hand like a glove, we have curated a list of the 10 best retail marketing automation tools out there.

1. CleverTap

CleverTap stands out as the premier retail marketing automation platform for brands that demand smarter engagement and results at scale. The platform is designed for omnichannel retail leaders, e-commerce-first brands, and enterprise marketers. It unifies advanced analytics, predictive AI, and seamless campaign automation in a single, intuitive platform. The result is simple: better retention, personalized experiences, and consistently high ROI.

Key Features:

  • Advanced Segmentation: CleverTap enables marketers to segment customers based on lifecycle stage, intent, psychographics, or real-time behaviors with no manual data wrangling required.
  • Omnichannel Automation: Orchestrate integrated campaigns across push, in-app, email, SMS, WhatsApp, and web notifications. The platform’s flow builder lets teams visually create multi-step journeys, like abandoned cart sequences that combine app, email, and SMS touchpoints.
  • Real-Time Triggers: Drive instant engagement based on live customer activity, whether a shopper is browsing, abandoning a cart, or showing signs of churn.
  • Lifecycle Campaigns: Map and optimize customer journeys from discovery to loyalty. CleverTap’s Lifecycle Optimizer helps teams identify campaign bottlenecks and automate timely nudges for maximum conversions.
  • Predictive Analytics & Cohort Analysis: The TesseractDBTM big-data engine and CleverAI predict churn, conversion probabilities, and future buying intent. Marketers can identify at-risk segments and launch targeted strategies to win back or retain valuable customers.
  • Actionable Insights: Built-in behavioral and cohort analytics power instant campaign optimizations with no third-party tools or technical resources needed.

Agentic AI Features: CleverAI

CleverTap’s agentic AI, including CleverAI, grants marketers deeper prediction and automation. AI tools analyze user behavior, recommend next-best actions, and orchestrate campaigns that adjust in real time based on customer intent. Rather than manual rule setting, the AI suggests creative actions (like sending a promotion before expected churn) and surfaces timely insights on segment health and engagement. This hands-off intelligence lets brands move faster and deliver smarter messaging without technical complexity.

Best For:

CleverTap is ideal for retailers focused on driving retention, elevating personalization, and scaling omnichannel engagement. The platform’s unified analytics and intuitive automation make it easy for marketing teams to optimize campaigns for better results. Whether you’re managing a specialty e-commerce shop, a physical-first chain, or a global retail enterprise, CleverTap helps you boost sales, increase customer lifetime value, and build lasting loyalty.

Why CleverTap Benefits You the Most:

Unlike fragmented competitors, CleverTap streamlines every part of the marketer’s workflow. Its no-code tools, embedded customer data platform, and rapid time-to-value ensure retailers spend less time managing tech and more time building campaigns that convert. For those seeking measurable ROI, predictive engagement, and powerful automation, CleverTap is the best choice to drive retail growth in 2025 and beyond.

Discover the full potential of marketing automation with CleverTap.


2. Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Salesforce Marketing Cloud supports personalized messaging across multiple customer touchpoints. It connects AI-powered insights with real-time data, enabling marketing teams to segment audiences, automate campaigns, and manage communications via email, mobile, social, and in-store channels.

Key Features:

  • AI-Powered Segmentation: Dynamically segment audiences based on behavior and preferences for precise targeting
  • Omnichannel Campaigns: Coordinate messaging across email, mobile, social, and in-store touchpoints with ease
  • Modern POS Integration: Equip store associates with real-time customer data to enhance service and personalization
  • Automation with Agentforce: Automate order management, loyalty programs, and customer interactions using AI
  • Real-Time Analytics: Access insights that optimize campaigns and improve customer engagement

Best For:

Mid-to-large retail businesses that are seeking a scalable platform to unify their marketing efforts and deliver personalized, connected shopping journeys across channels.

3. ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign is a versatile retail marketing automation tool that streamlines retail campaign management by combining email, SMS, and CRM tools for targeted customer journeys. The platform uses automation and AI-based features to deliver messages based on user behavior and optimize send times.

Key Features:

  • Advanced Marketing Automation: Build complex, multi-step workflows that respond to customer behavior and preferences
  • Omnichannel Messaging: Coordinate campaigns across email, SMS, social, and site messaging for consistent engagement
  • CRM Integration: Manage and score leads seamlessly for better sales and marketing alignment
  • AI-Powered Predictive Sending: Automatically send messages at the optimal time for each recipient
  • User-Friendly Landing Pages & Forms: Capture leads and drive conversions with customizable, no-code pages

Best For:

Small to mid-sized retailers seeking simple automation, CRM, and multichannel marketing in one platform.

Keep exploring: Top 10 CRM automation platforms to streamline your marketing.


4. Klaviyo

Designed specifically for e-commerce brands, Klaviyo is a retail marketing automation platform. It integrates email, SMS, and B2C CRM features to help marketers create personalized campaigns that engage customers across multiple channels. Klaviyo also has deep integration with e-commerce platforms, which helps retailers engage customers with relevant offers at the right time.

Key Features:

  • AI-Powered Personalization: Uses predictive analytics to tailor product recommendations and messaging
  • Omnichannel Automation: Coordinates email, SMS, push notifications, and in-app messages seamlessly
  • Customer Data Platform: Unifies data from 350+ integrations for real-time audience segmentation
  • Pre-Built Retail Flows: Includes over 60 automated workflows for cart recovery, welcome series, and more
  • Advanced Analytics: Provides detailed campaign insights and predictive customer behavior

Best For:

Ecommerce retailers that are looking for a data-driven tool to scale personalized marketing and boost customer lifetime value.

5. Omnisend

Omnisend is an ecommerce-focused marketing automation platform that helps retailers connect with customers across email, SMS, and push notifications. It offers easy-to-use tools and pre-built workflows to create personalized campaigns that drive engagement and sales.

Key Features:

  • Multichannel Messaging: Seamlessly combine email, SMS, and web push notifications in one workflow
  • Pre-Built Automation Workflows: Ready-to-use templates for welcome series, abandoned cart recovery, and more
  • Audience Segmentation: Target customers based on shopping behavior, engagement, and purchase history
  • Drag-and-Drop Editor: Create professional campaigns without any coding skills
  • Detailed Analytics: Track campaign performance and customer behavior to optimize marketing efforts

Best For:

Small to mid-sized ecommerce retailers looking for an affordable, easy-to-use platform that delivers powerful omnichannel automation and clear campaign insights.

Explore the complete guide to ecommerce marketing automation: strategies, benefits, and setup tips.


6. HubSpot Marketing Hub

HubSpot Marketing Hub is a retail marketing automation platform that integrates email marketing, automation, landing pages, and analytics. Its AI tools enable real-time segmentation and personalized campaigns. A drag-and-drop builder simplifies campaign creation. HubSpot supports campaigns across email, social media, and the web, with detailed performance analytics to track results.

Key Features:

  • Dynamic Segmentation and Personalization: Create real-time audience segments and tailor content to individual preferences
  • Marketing Studio: A visual, drag-and-drop campaign builder that fosters team collaboration
  • AI-Powered Email and Content Tools: Generate optimized messaging and insights to improve campaign performance
  • Multi-Channel Campaign Management: Coordinate email, social media, and web campaigns from one place
  • Comprehensive Analytics: Track campaign success and customer journeys with deep performance reporting

Best For:

Growing retailers and mid-sized businesses needing a scalable, unified marketing platform.

7. Insider

Insider is an AI-powered retail marketing platform that connects customer data from multiple sources to create unified profiles. It enables precise segmentation and orchestrates personalized campaigns across 12+ channels, including email, SMS, WhatsApp, TikTok, and web. The platform offers a visual journey builder to design automated customer workflows and real-time analytics to optimize performance.

Key Features:

  • AI-Powered Personalization: Tailor content and offers based on predictive customer behavior
  • Cross-Channel Orchestration: Manage campaigns across 12+ channels, including WhatsApp, TikTok, email, and SMS
  • Automated Customer Journeys: Visual journey builder to create dynamic, personalized workflows
  • Real-Time Analytics: Monitor performance and optimize campaigns with actionable insights
  • Dynamic Pricing & Social Proof: Adjust prices in real time and display live customer activity to boost trust

Best For:

Retail and e-commerce brands that are looking for AI-powered omnichannel automation and personalized customer journeys.

You might like to read: AI-driven marketing automation explained with real examples.


8. Ortto (Formerly Autopilot)

Ortto is a retail marketing automation platform that integrates customer data, messaging, and analytics into one system. It features a drag-and-drop journey builder that lets marketers map workflows and automate based on behavior. Multi-channel messaging supports email, SMS, in-app, and direct mail campaigns. AI-powered filters and natural language prompts simplify audience segmentation and decision-making.

Key Features:

  • Drag-and-Drop Journey Builder: Easily map customer workflows and automate actions based on behavior
  • Multi-Channel Messaging: Automate email, SMS, in-app messaging, and direct mail campaigns
  • AI-Powered Filters and Decisions: Use natural language prompts to build precise audience segments and scoring models
  • Comprehensive Analytics: Visualize campaign performance and optimize with real-time insights
  • Built-in Integrations: Connect with Salesforce, Slack, Twilio, and more for seamless workflows

Best For:

Mid-sized businesses seeking user-friendly automation with strong data insights and easy setup.

9. Send By Elementor

Send by Elementor is an email and SMS marketing automation tool built specifically for WordPress and WooCommerce users. It enables retailers to capture leads, automate personalized campaigns, and manage newsletters directly from their WordPress dashboard. It simplifies marketing efforts without relying on multiple plugins.

Key Features:

  • One-Click WordPress Integration: Seamlessly sync contacts, purchase history, and revenue data from WooCommerce
  • Custom Automation Workflows: Visual drag-and-drop builder to create behavior-triggered email and SMS sequences
  • Pre-Built Email Flows: Ready-to-use campaigns for cart abandonment, welcome series, and promotions
  • Drag-and-Drop Email Builder: Create professional newsletters with customizable templates and AI-generated content
  • Real-Time Analytics: Monitor open rates, clicks, and conversions for data-driven decisions

Best For:

WordPress and WooCommerce retailers seeking a hassle-free, integrated marketing automation solution that grows with their business.

10. Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo is an all-in-one marketing retail marketing automation platform that combines email, SMS, chat, and CRM tools to streamline communication and automate campaigns. Its user-friendly interface and powerful automation features help retailers engage customers with personalized messaging and timely promotions.

Key Features:

  • Marketing Automation: Create custom workflows to nurture leads and drive sales with automated emails and SMS
  • Multichannel Messaging: Reach customers via email, SMS, WhatsApp, and live chat from one platform
  • CRM Integration: Manage customer contacts and track engagement in a unified dashboard
  • Transactional Email API: Ensure high deliverability for order confirmations and notifications
  • Detailed Analytics: Measure campaign performance and optimize marketing strategies

Best For:

Small to medium-sized retailers who want an affordable, all-in-one solution to manage email, SMS, and CRM marketing effectively.

How to Choose the Right Retail Marketing Automation Tool

Choosing the right retail marketing automation tool requires careful evaluation of several important factors:

  • Business Size: Small businesses may prefer simple, user-friendly platforms, while larger enterprises need scalable solutions with advanced capabilities.
  • Integration Needs: Ensure the tool connects seamlessly with your e-commerce, CRM, analytics, and other existing systems.
  • Retail Model: Consider whether you operate online only or across omnichannel (online + physical stores), as some platforms specialize in unified omnichannel experiences.
  • Budget: Balance cost against value; cheaper isn’t always better if it limits growth or feature access.
  • Scalability: Select a platform that grows with your business, accommodating higher volumes and more complex automation over time.

Look for solutions that go beyond automation to deliver personalized, AI-driven customer engagement. CleverTap excels in this with advanced segmentation, omnichannel automation, and predictive analytics.

See how CleverTap empowers retail marketers to turn every interaction into a moment of conversion and connection.


Retail Marketing Automatically Made Personal

Automation is essential in retail marketing to meet fast-changing customer expectations. The right tools help retailers deliver personalized, scalable campaigns that engage customers across all channels. By streamlining workflows and using real-time data, you can create experiences that boost loyalty and revenue. Platforms like CleverTap enable retailers to build data-driven journeys that adapt to customer behavior, ensuring marketing stands out in a crowded market. Explore CleverTap to unlock the full potential of your retail marketing automation.

RSVP for a free pass & meet CleverTap at Money20/20 Conference in Las Vegas from 27 October to 29 October, 2025.

Posted on October 14, 2025

Author

Kiran Pius LinkedIn

Leads Product Launches, Adoption, & Evangelism.Expert in cross-channel marketing strategies & platforms.

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