Poor Customer Experience Is Costing You More Than You Think

Think your CX is “good enough”? The numbers say it isn’t. In the UK, even one misplaced interaction can send a loyal customer straight to a competitor—silent but gone. Poor CX is literally draining billions, while brands that get it right are growing faster, retaining more, and earning stronger margins. Here’s what’s driving the change in 2025:

1. Poor customer experience drives customers away

32% of customers say they’ll walk away from a brand they love after a single poor experience.

2. UK retailers are losing £41 billion annually

Poor in-store customer service—think chaotic queues and disengaged staff—is draining £41 billion a year from UK retailers. 80% of consumers surveyed said they’d simply leave the store without purchasing if their experience falls below expectations.

3. App failures are loyalty killers

58% of UK smartphone users say they’d abandon a brand entirely after just one bad app experience. This isn’t just a glitch—it’s a dealbreaker.

4. Customer Experience now beats price in decision-making

73% of UK customers say CX matters more than price when choosing brands. Many will even pay more for convenience, clarity, or consistency.

5. Human connections still matter—maybe more than ever

Even with all the tech and automation, 83% of UK consumers still prefer speaking to a real person when something goes wrong. The smartest CX strategies blend digital efficiency with human empathy.

How Caffeine Helps

We move customer Experience from “good enough” to making you unmistakably distinct:

  • Start with what matters most to your customers—not your assumptions.
  • Map the entire journey—across digital, mobile, in-store, and human touchpoints.
  • Align teams, tools, and mindset to make that experience seamless, consistent, and uniquely your own.

The result? Less churn, more loyalty—and an experience your competitors recognise, but can’t copy.

Sources: PwC / FT analysis, Zendesk, retailbrew.com

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