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  • Unify Your Intelligent Data in Retail, Distribution & Consumer Goods

Unify Your Intelligent Data in Retail, Distribution & Consumer Goods

How retail and consumer goods companies can use AI to transform their data and analytics platform

Chapter 1

Introduction – Gaining Market Edge in a Fast-Changing World

In today’s volatile market landscape, data is one of the most underutilised assets for retailers and consumer goods companies. Vast volumes of transactional, behavioural, and supply chain data remain siloed or disconnected, limiting the ability to deliver personalised experiences or respond to rapid change.

Data complexities in retail

What we’ve heard

“We need to better understand customer personas, behaviours, and interests so we can show up in a way that resonates with shoppers.”

Opportunities with Unified Data:

  • Create next-gen products using predictive design insights
  • Monitor supply chains with real-time visibility
  • Launch smarter, AI-personalised campaigns
  • Adapt pricing, logistics, and merchandising strategies dynamically
Chapter 1
Chapter 2

Why Unified Data is the Future of Retail and Consumer Goods? 

What we’ve heard 

“We need better to understand customer personas, behaviours, and interests so we can show up in a way that resonates with shoppers.” 

Businesses generate more data than ever in today's fast-paced retail and consumer goods landscape. However, without a unified platform, much of that data remains underutilised. Microsoft Fabric connects every data source into one cohesive framework, from POS systems to supply chain software. This lets you: 

  • Gain real-time customer insights
  • Improve demand forecasting and inventory management
  • Build data-driven marketing campaigns
  • Streamline your operations across departments 
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

What is Microsoft Fabric? 

Microsoft Fabric provides a one-stop shop for business intelligence by connecting every data source and analytics service together—on a single, AI-powered platform—without compromising the privacy and security of your data. You gain an end-to-end, highly integrated, single solution that is easy to understand, onboard, create, and operate.  

Fabric connects all data sources, services, and workloads in a unified architecture, transforming isolated datasets into a cohesive intelligence system. 

 Key Components of Fabric:

  • OneLake – Centralised data lake with a "Lakehouse" architecture for all formats.
  • Data Factory – Seamless data ingestion and integration from any system.
  • Synapse – High-performance analytics and large-scale data processing.
  • Power BI – Visualisation and real-time insights for business teams.
  • Data Activator – Real-time alerts and automation triggered by data events.
  • Copilot for Fabric – Natural language interface for queries and insights using generative AI. 

For Retailers & Brands

  • Understand customers across all touchpoints with real-time behavioural data.
  • Combine loyalty, POS, CRM, and web analytics in a unified customer model.
Boost customer retention ebook
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

What are the Benefits of Microsoft Fabric for Retail and Consumer Goods? 

1. Build Brands People Love

What we have heard 

“We need to better understand customer personas, behaviours, and interests so we can show up in a way that resonates with shoppers.” 

Microsoft Fabric provides a unified view of customers by combining data from multiple sources such as social media, online behaviour, and purchase history. This holistic approach allows retailers and consumer goods companies to deliver tailored marketing and drive brand equity with comprehensive consumer insights. 

  • AI and Predictive Analytics: Gain deep insights into customer preferences and behaviours, enabling more personalised and effective marketing campaigns. 
  • Advanced AI Targeting: Helps scale your brand and optimise marketing efforts by identifying and targeting the right audience segments. 
  • AI-driven Marketing Tools: Identify emerging trends and adapt quickly to market changes, ensuring your brand stays relevant and competitive. 
  • Enterprise-grade Security and Compliance: Keep your data and brand safe with robust security measures and compliance standards.

Example: A retailer using Fabric can tie digital ad spend directly to real-time in-store conversions. 

2. Create Agile and Sustainable Supply Chains

What we’ve heard  

“We need better visibility across our ecosystem to anticipate disruptions, improve forecast accuracy, and get out of reactive mode.” 

Shift your business from reactive to predictive by digitising your warehouse environment with Microsoft Fabric. Real-time analytics and insights help inform your merchandising and supply chain strategy with recommended following best actions. 

  • Real-time analytics and insight help inform your merchandising and supply chain strategy with recommended following best actions.  
  • Real-time inventory provides visibility that helps increase service levels and reduce inventory levels.  
  • AI-powered features offer real-time planning based on order priorities, forecasts, and stock levels.  

Demand and supply signals reduce stockouts, automate and optimise fulfilment, and boost sustainability. 

Example: Distributors can anticipate supply issues before they affect fulfilment. 

Microsoft Fabric features

3. Transform the Shopper Journey

What we’ve heard  

“We think conversational AI can help us differentiate by providing more personalised shopping guidance and product recommendations.” 

Microsoft Fabric helps you reach customers with the right content at the right moment on the right channel with AI-driven personalisation. Provide elite shopping experiences for every customer, with generative AI across all touchpoints and channels. 

  • Real-time Intelligence: Analyse streaming data for instant insights and recommended actions, allowing you to respond quickly to customer needs and preferences. 
  • AI Insight: Deepen shopper engagements and improve upsell opportunities with hyper-relevant recommendations and following best actions. 
  • Generative AI-powered Apps: Increase product discovery and conversions by offering personalised shopping experiences that delight customers and drive sales. 

Example: A CPG brand can push AI-personalised email campaigns that match each consumer’s purchase behaviour. 

 4. Empower the workforce of the future

We have heard 

"We need something that automates our repetitive tasks, freeing our employees to focus on more important work." 

Microsoft Fabric elevates the employee experience, helping your workforce achieve more. 

  • Real-time campaign metrics alerts let you translate data into action. 
  • AI-powered analytics streamline workflows, helping you easily identify trends and uncover root causes of performance. 
  • Real-time insights help frontline workers offer better customer service.  
  • Generative AI automates repetitive tasks, freeing your employees to focus on more important work. 
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Conclusion – Turn Data Into Your Competitive Advantage 

Delivering accelerated data value isn't a luxury—it's a requirement to remain competitive in the modern marketplace. With Microsoft Fabric, your organisation can finally connect siloed data, empower teams with real-time insights, and deploy generative AI across every workflow—from design and marketing to fulfilment and service.

This isn’t just about IT transformation—it’s about enabling data-driven decision-making across the enterprise. Whether you're a global consumer goods leader or a regional retailer, Fabric scales to your needs and future-proofs your business. 

Why HSO?

HSO brings the expertise to unify your intelligent data

Unlock more value and opportunity for your business by working with a Microsoft sustainability partner.

Ready to connect? Explore the game-changing perks of Microsoft Fabric for your enterprise. 

If you are interested in our offering and want to start your data and analytics transformation with Microsoft Fabric, please get in touch with us today.  

We will schedule a discovery call with you, where we will discuss your challenges and goals, and plan the workshop accordingly. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve data-driven success with Microsoft Fabric. 

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