Business
Microsoft propels retail forward with agentic AI capabilities that power intelligent automation for every retail function
Microsoft propels retail forward with agentic AI capabilities that power intelligent automation for every retail function
About this update from Microsoft Corp.
[{"type":"text","content":"Built for the full retail value chain, Microsoft's agentic AI streamlines critical workflows to accelerate decisions and outcomes by augmenting human expertise across the enterpriseREDMOND, Wash., Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced agentic AI solutions designed to bring intelligent automation to every part of the retail business. These new capabilities help retailers move faster, serve shoppers with greater relevance, and operate with resilience and efficiency, delivering a modern foundation for growth in a highly competitive market.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nAcross merchandising, marketing, store operations and fulfillment, these solutions bring a connected layer of intelligence that transforms fragmented workflows into coordinated execution. By equipping teams with context-aware tools that can anticipate and act, Microsoft is accelerating the industry's move toward a unified, intelligence-driven operating system built for the pace of modern retail.\"The retailers that thrive will be the ones that unify their business with intelligence that reaches every corner of the value chain,\" said Kathleen Mitford, Corporate Vice President of Global Industry at Microsoft. \"With Microsoft's agentic AI, retailers can automate what slows them down and amplify what sets them apart, enabling faster decisions and stronger customer relationships while building operations ready for whatever comes next.\"Turning inspiration into action with agentic commerce AI is significantly changing how consumers shop for gifts. Adobe unveiled that AI‑driven ecommerce traffic for the 2025 holiday season has surged by 693% compared to 2024. This increase illustrates the importance of connecting authentic brand engagement with frictionless checkout, helping retailers capture value at the exact moment of intent. Copilot Checkout will enable merchants to reach shoppers as they complete purchases discovered directly within Copilot without being redirected to external sites. Copilot Checkout turns conversations into conversions — instantly. No redirect, no friction, and merchants stay the merchant of record. Copilot Checkout is now available in the U.S. on Copilot.com. Trusted partners enabling this experience include PayPal, Shopify and Stripe. Shoppers will be able to purchase from leading retail brands such as Urban Outfitters, Anthro...