Glossary/Retail Media & Commerce/Path to Purchase
Retail Media & Commerce
Path to Purchase
The sequence of touchpoints and decisions a shopper moves through, online and in store, from need recognition to buying a product.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
The path to purchase is the sequence of touchpoints and decisions a shopper moves through, from recognizing a need to buying a product. It spans online and in-store moments such as research, comparison, reviews, and the shelf itself. Marketers map it to decide where advertising, content, and promotions will most influence the final choice.