#None #Singapore #Microsoft #Hanshow #xPilot

Hanshow Collaborates with Microsoft for xPilot Launch

In a remarkable unveiling at the NRF 2026 APAC event, Hanshow, a global leader in digital store solutions, introduced its latest innovation, xPilot—an AI-powered assistant designed for real-time store management. This launch marks a significant milestone in Hanshow's ongoing partnership with Microsoft, aimed at revolutionizing retail operations through digital twin technology.

xPilot is built on Microsoft Azure and leverages Microsoft Fabric to integrate sensor data from stores with real-time business information. This creates a unified database that enables retailers to operate efficiently in real-time. The integration is powered by AI agents derived from Microsoft Foundry, which help retailers make quicker decisions based on the immediate conditions within their stores.

Retailers worldwide have made substantial investments in data analytics; however, many struggle with translating these insights into actionable and consistent store operations. xPilot addresses this by combining real-time in-store sensors, AI-driven decision-making, and automated workflows. It seamlessly integrates with digital twin technology through continuous data from smart shelves, intelligent carts, in-store robotics, and various IoT touchpoints.

By utilizing Microsoft's robust, secure, and scalable cloud infrastructure, xPilot offers retailers immediate operational benefits. Store teams gain real-time visibility into product availability on shelves, compliance with planograms, and operational alerts, allowing for instant task activation or automated actions based on priority. The system also generates heat maps for sales, traffic, and energy consumption, streamlining execution, reducing missed sales opportunities, and enhancing overall operational efficiency across multiple locations.

One of the first adopters of xPilot is Rainbow, a leading retail chain in China. As an early user, Rainbow is exploring how digital twin technology can facilitate consistent large-scale execution by integrating xPilot with its IoT solutions. The transition from manual inspections to AI-driven workflows enables quicker responses to compliance criteria, accurate pricing, and better inventory management.

This launch signifies a new phase of innovation in smart retail for Hanshow, expanding its digital twin ecosystem from in-store digital infrastructure to intelligence-driven operational execution. Relvin Sun, Dean of Hanshow's Retail Research Institute, remarked, “Our collaboration with Microsoft and various partners laid the groundwork for the Digital Store Twin. xPilot realizes that vision by transforming insights into real-time actions, allowing retailers to shift from reactive to proactive execution based on intelligence.”

Christian O'Donohue, Senior Advisor for Retail and Consumer Goods at Microsoft, emphasized, “Retailers need more intelligence rather than more tools. A real-time digital store twin, alongside unified data and AI agents, enables teams to move from passive observation to immediate action, enhancing the operational intelligence of the store and accelerating the journey toward next-generation retail.”

As retail continues to evolve in a digital landscape, the launch of xPilot not only redefines how retailers interact with technology but also sets a new standard for responsiveness and operational excellence within the industry. This initiative by Hanshow and Microsoft exemplifies the potential of AI, IoT, and digital infrastructure in shaping the future of retail.