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Hanshow and Microsoft's Strategic Collaboration at NRF 2026

Hanshow, a renowned leader in electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital retail solutions, announced an exciting collaboration with Microsoft at the NRF 2026 event. This partnership is set to explore the advancements in digital twin technology aimed at revolutionizing retail. With the retail sector facing increasing complexities due to evolving consumer demands and operational challenges, this collaboration aligns perfectly with the growing shift towards digital transformation.

Addressing Complex Retail Challenges

As retail environments become more intricate, retailers often struggle with real-time visibility, operational efficiency, and enhanced sales opportunities. Hanshow and Microsoft’s partnership aims to bridge this gap by integrating physical store intelligence with cloud-based digital capabilities. By focusing on the idea of a Store Digital Twin, the collaboration seeks to equip retailers with the necessary tools to create a transparent and resilient operating model driven by data.

Evolving Retail Needs

This collaboration arises from a mutual acknowledgment of the shifting landscape of modern retail. Retailers are increasingly seeking higher operational accuracy and cost efficiency, alongside scalable digital solutions that resonate with their store networks. Hanshow’s deep expertise in ESL technology, combined with Microsoft’s innovative cloud solutions, sets the stage for a new era of retail operations.

Liangyan Li, Hanshow's SVP and Head of Global Sales, highlighted the importance of integrated digital solutions, stressing that today's retailers require comprehensive solutions that accurately depict real-time activities within their stores. This collaboration signifies Hanshow’s commitment to advancing retail digitalization over the long term.

Distinct Roles in a Shared Vision

In this strategic partnership, Hanshow brings to the table its proficiency in in-store digital solutions, including the Nebular Ultra ESL and the N5 AI Camera, both crucial for gathering insightful data on shelves, products, and customer behaviors. Meanwhile, Microsoft contributes its powerful cloud-based digital twin technologies backed by Microsoft Azure, offering advanced data platforms and analytics to model and analyze the complexities of in-store operations.

The collaboration envisions a retail environment where digital and physical operations seamlessly connect, enhancing the overall customer experience and retailer capabilities.

Setting Shared Goals for Efficiency

Together, Hanshow and Microsoft are focused on how digital twin technologies can create an open, scalable foundation for retail. Their goals include:
1. Operational Efficiency: Streamlining processes within stores to improve productivity.
2. Cost Optimization: Effective use of data to lower operational costs and maximize store performance.
3. Shared Innovation: Engaging the broader retail ecosystem in conversations about digital twin stores and collaborative innovation.

This partnership reflects a long-term dedication to fostering sustainable foundations for the retail industry, ensuring adaptability in a fast-changing market.

Invitation to Collaborate

By presenting this collaboration at NRF 2026, Hanshow and Microsoft are extending an invitation to retailers, solution providers, and ecosystem partners to engage in the ongoing dialogue about the potential of digital twin technology in retail. This is an open call for collaborative efforts towards enhancing operational models that can meet contemporary challenges effectively.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Hanshow and Microsoft marks a significant move towards reimagining retail through the integration of digital twin technologies. As they explore and develop these innovative solutions, the impact on the retail landscape promises to be substantial, paving the way for smarter, more efficient retail operations in the future.