This analysis, based on PwC’s 2025 Customer Experience Survey, indicates that consumers clearly distinguish between baseline expectations that brands must fulfill and value drivers that create competitive differentiation.
🔹 Baseline expectations
These are fundamental factors that customers consider mandatory when interacting with a brand:
Reliable product and service quality – 69%
Competitive and fair pricing – 66%
Effective customer service – 61%
Transparent and consistent communication – 59%
Seamless end-to-end experience – 53%
🔹 Differentiation drivers
Elements beyond basic expectations play a decisive role in shaping brand preference and emotional engagement:
Exclusive offers and loyalty benefits – 68%
Personalized customer experiences – 59%
Innovative products and services – 54%
Sustainability initiatives and social responsibility – 46%
Overall, the findings reveal a clear distinction: while meeting baseline expectations is critical for customer retention, exceeding them is essential to influence brand choice and long-term loyalty. This represents the strategic opportunity for organizations to differentiate through superior customer experience.
