Use a customer’s own baseline
A three-week gap means different things for a daily café customer and an occasional retail shopper. Compare a person with their established routine before labelling them at risk.
Keep the explanation visible
An owner needs to know why a customer is flagged. Useful reasons include a widening gap, a missed usual day or a sustained spend change. Each is a signal to review, not a diagnosis.
Check what the records miss
Missing bills, different phone numbers and seasonal demand can distort a pattern. Review data quality and give operators a way to correct a profile before automating an action.