Hanshow Launches AI Assistant for Store Operations

Hanshow helps retailers improve store experiences with AI-powered insights, real-time execution, and operational automation.

Hanshow has launched xPilot, an AI-powered store execution assistant designed to help retailers improve operational efficiency and deliver more consistent in-store experiences. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the solution combines real-time store data, AI-driven decision-making, and automated workflows to help retailers respond more quickly to changing store conditions.

Built on Microsoft Azure, xPilot uses a digital twin architecture to bring together data from smart shelves, smart carts, robotics systems, operational platforms, and other connected store technologies. According to the company, the platform provides a real-time view of store performance while helping teams act on operational insights more effectively.

“Our collaboration with Microsoft and many partners established the foundation for the store’s digital twin. xPilot is where that vision becomes a reality, turning insights into actions in real-time and enabling retailers and suppliers to move from reactive operations to proactive, intelligence-led execution,” said Relvin Sun, Dean, Hanshow Retail Research Institute.

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Turning Store Data into Action

The platform continuously analyses live operational data to provide visibility into shelf availability, planogram compliance, store activity, and operational alerts. Store teams can use the insights to prioritise tasks, address issues more quickly, and maintain consistent execution across locations.

Hanshow said retailers can also access live operational dashboards covering sales performance, customer traffic, conversion metrics, labour utilisation, and energy consumption. The goal is to help organisations reduce operational inefficiencies while improving the overall shopping experience.

The platform’s open architecture supports integration with retail applications across merchandising, supply chain management, store operations, and customer engagement functions.

Supporting Smarter In-Store Experiences

Rainbow Department Store in China is among the first retailers to deploy xPilot in a live environment. The retailer is using the platform to evaluate how digital twin technology and AI can improve store execution and operational consistency at scale.

“Retailers don’t need more tools in the store – they need more intelligence. A real-time store digital twin, paired with unified data and AI agents, helps teams move from seeing what’s happening to acting on it in the moment – raising Store IQ and accelerating the journey toward a frontier store,” said Christian O’Donohue, Senior Industry Advisor, Retail and Consumer Goods, Microsoft.

The launch reflects growing retailer investment in AI-powered store operations platforms that connect real-time data, automation, and operational workflows to improve efficiency while delivering better experiences for shoppers.

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