OC&C Retail Proposition Index 2025: Redefining Retail Advantage

In recent years, retailers have grappled with persistent structural challenges, as both sales volumes and profit margins have come under pressure from increasingly price-conscious consumers in an inflationary environment.

Now, with economic growth and inflation stabilising at more predictable long-term levels, the macroeconomic outlook is becoming more reassuring. Yet, business confidence remains subdued, and retail and consumer margins are still significantly lower than before 2020.

Against this backdrop, retailers once again have the opportunity to focus on transformative, long-term strategies – revitalising volume growth, future-proofing their customer proposition, and strengthening underlying margins.

This report will cover the 5 strategic imperatives for retailers to consider to earn customer loyalty and improve trade in 2025:

1. The Return of Loyalty
2. Marketplaces 2.0
3. The Future Role of Agentic AI
4. Accessing the Retail Media Opportunity
5. Participating in the Resale Revolution

In addition, we reveal the retailers that have captured the top spots according to Dutch consumers across 12 categories, offering valuable insights into this year’s standout performers in the sector.

Get in touch with our team to discuss our wealth of year-on-year data on retailer level and gain full insight into consumer trends and attitudes.