Eva de Vries
Central Marketing Operations Lead
It’s been a whirlwind five years for the retail sector. From the destabilizing impact of the pandemic to the rise and diversification of customer expectations, omnichannel services and employee experience, the industry has been navigating truly unprecedented times.
This is particularly the case in the workforce sphere. With hybrid and flexible options now a normality for most workplaces, employees across the sector are increasingly asking for more in-person support and digital empowerment – especially among younger generations. A 2023 Microsoft survey recently found 68% of employees are currently struggling with the pace and volume of work, with 46% of them reporting feeling burned out.
That’s where key technology like AI can make a huge difference – and many players in the sector are already taking note.
A recent McKinsey report revealed generative AI could unlock between $240bn and $390bn in value for retailers.
Meanwhile, our recent whitepaper – Your Intelligent Data Strategy for AI – found that “organizations with AI-ready data and analytics foundations see a 20% improvement in AI-related business outcomes compared to organizations that don’t”.
This makes generative AI a strategic imperative for retail leaders looking to stay competitive and relevant – offering unprecedented capabilities for creating engaging content, automating customer support, and even assisting with product development.
According to the 2023 Microsoft survey, 86% of knowledge workers indicate that “finding information and answers” is their top use case for AI in the enterprise. Meanwhile, a Microsoft and LinkedIn study from 2024 found 75% of global knowledge workers are using AI at work.
While still relatively new, this outstanding technology is already gaining huge traction across retailers in the Netherlands and beyond.
Leading Dutch food retailer Albert Heijn is a prime example. One of the largest supermarket chains in the Netherlands, Albert Heijn has a young and tech savvy workforce which the company is committed to retaining by using cutting-edge technology.
Using Azure OpenAI, they have developed a conversational assistant within their @AH Employee App for store employees which answers questions related to their tasks or customer requests. The assistant is able to answer a whole range of questions from what needs to be restocked on shelves to where a product can be found in store.
This AI-driven approach allows them to deliver highly personalized interactions and automate complex tasks, driving both customer satisfaction and significant operational efficiency. All while showcasing how advanced AI capabilities, seamlessly integrated within the Azure cloud ecosystem, can empower retailers to create new value and accelerate innovation in a dynamic retail market.
Find out more about how Albert Heijn is using Azure OpenAI to innovate customer experience and boost efficiency. Read the full story.
Hackers vallen wereldwijd veelvuldig onderwijsinstellingen aan. Onderzoek toont aan dat zelfs 80% van de aangevallen apparaten in deze sector zit. Werk aan de winkel voor scholen dus! Maar hoe zorg je dat jouw school weerbaar wordt voor deze aanvallen? Microsoft Secure Score Weet jij wat de secure score van jouw school is? Niet? Voer dan […]
Maud Pols
Learning Specialist at Microsoft
The Dutch manufacturing industry is facing major challenges. One of those is an aging workforce that threatens further growth. Manufacturing is a vibrant sector in the Netherlands that has successfully reinvented itself in recent years. Look for instance to the spectacular growth of machine industry. But after several prosperous years, threats are now lurking. Take […]
Stephan Veltman
Manufacturing Industry Lead, Microsoft Netherlands
Cloud has significantly transformed the ISV industry and customer expectations. Therefore, building and scaling your apps on a trusted, secure cloud is critical to customer retention and acquisition. Become a Microsoft ISV. Get guidance on building modern, scalable, and secure apps, and developing your go to market plans. Finally, present your solution on the Commercial Marketplace and take advantage of multiple channels […]
Jeffrey Vermeulen
Business Group Lead – Cloud & Enterprise
