Columbia Sportswear Japan improves performance by aligning campaign optimization with Google Analytics 4

+4.2%
sales
+12.1%
average order value
+11.4%
ROAS
Challenge

Optimizing toward trusted measurement

One of the world’s most recognized outdoor brands, Columbia Sportswear, wanted to push performance beyond its existing baseline in Japan while staying closely aligned with how results were evaluated in Google Analytics. The team was already running both retargeting and lookalike campaigns, and with investment decisions guided by external analytics, the opportunity was clear: bring optimization closer to the measurement framework the brand and its agency already trust.

Solution

Using Google Analytics data as the optimization signal

To do this, Columbia Sportswear Japan activated Google Analytics Optimization with Criteo. The team used Google Analytics (GA) data as the optimization signal for eligible campaigns, allowing bidding to reflect the same KPIs used in the client’s own reporting. The test ran for approximately one month from early November, and performance was reviewed jointly using GA-reported results.

Results

Stronger performance across key metrics

The GA-optimized setup delivered stronger performance than the non-GA-optimized approach across both efficiency and revenue metrics. Sales increased by 4.2%, average order value rose by 12.1%, conversion rate improved by 7.5%, cost per order decreased by 3.2%, and ROAS grew by 11.4%. Together, these results showed that aligning optimization with the client’s preferred measurement framework can drive stronger business outcomes while increasing confidence in how performance is assessed.

Following this success, Columbia Sportswear Japan plans to expand beyond Lookalike and reach additional Commerce Audiences for new user acquisition, helping the brand attract new shoppers and further scale growth.