Amber Hickman |
Shelley Bransten, corporate vice president of global industry solutions at Microsoft, shared her four key takeaways from NRF 2025.
“NRF 2025 was without doubt the biggest and best NRF ever,” she said in a post on LinkedIn. “It’s always so inspiring to spend time with customers, partners and Microsoftees from across the globe. I always come away having learned a lot too. A lot about what’s top of mind for our customers. A lot about how we can help our partners provide more value for retailers. A lot about our competition. Where we are strong and where we need to up our game.”
Her first takeaway was that AI is a “retail gamechanger”, especially for enhancing customer and employee experiences as well as supply chain processes. In addition, new agentic AI solutions are expected to have a significant impact.
Bransten also stated that, amidst current economic struggles, the retail industry is “alive and kicking” with online retail sales rising 8.7 per cent year over year in the 2024 holiday season.
Another key moment for Bransten was a keynote speech from Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy, where he discussed the concept of ‘embracing the paradox’ and balancing digital with in-store, and technology with people.
Lastly, Bransten commented on the focus of charity at the event, with events such as the Retail Orphan Initiative’s Super Saturday, hosted at Microsoft’s office in New York, that offered insights into how the charity is helping communities around the world.
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