On 26 November 2025, Microsoft and Yokogawa Votiva Solutions (YVS) hosted Retail Unboxed – Insights and Innovation for Vietnam Retail Operations at Ambrosia Café Bistro, Ho Chi Minh City. The session brought together leaders across retail, digital transformation, and operations to discuss and explore how AI-driven applications, operational modernization, and data-powered customer insight are shaping the next phase of retail in Vietnam.
Retail Unboxed: The Real Pain Points Behind Operations
The event opened with an exploration of five core challenges faced by retailers in Vietnam today. Rather than discussing these pain points in isolation, speakers connected them to broader trends, from shifting consumer expectations to operational complexities introduced by hybrid shopping models.
The conversation highlighted that while customers increasingly expect seamless experiences across channels, many retailers still struggle with fragmented data, manual store workflows, and rising operational costs.
These insights set the stage for understanding why AI-enabled retail transformation is no longer optional, but essential.
AI at the Point of Sale: Enhancing Customer Engagement and Checkout Performance
A highl was the INSIGHTS live demo, where participants experienced how AI can elevate cashier performance at the point of sale. The demo illustrated how a combined view of customer history, preferences, and contextual recommendations can support cashiers in making informed, personalized interactions.
Instead of relying on guesswork, retailers can empower their frontline teams with:
- richer customer insights,
- intelligent suggestions for cross-sell and upsell,
- and faster, more confident in-store engagements.
The solution showcased during the event is built entirely on Microsoft Power Platform, demonstrating how low-code innovation can deliver real, measurable impact on retail operations.
A Roundtable of Shared Experiences and Practical Perspectives
The roundtable opened up a collaborative space where attendees discussed their own experiences navigating Vietnam’s unique retail landscape.
Common themes quickly emerged: the challenge of maintaining stock accuracy across stores, the pressure to balance online convenience with offline service quality, and the importance of improving store-level operational efficiency.
Participants engaged in candid exchanges about what truly works in real operations — and where AI, automation, and data can step in to fill the gaps.
A Step Forward for Vietnam’s Retail Transformation
As Vietnam’s retail industry continues evolving, the insights shared at Retail Unboxed underscored one consistent theme: retailers must modernize their operational foundations to stay competitive.
AI-powered applications, predictive insights, and modern digital retail platforms are no longer “nice to have”, they are becoming essential tools for delivering the agility and customer-centricity that today’s market demands.
Explore How AI Can Transform Your Retail Operations
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all speakers from Microsoft and YVS for delivering valuable perspectives and demonstrating forward-thinking retail applications.
A sincere thank-you as well to all participants who joined us, contributed thoughtful questions. Your engagement is what drives innovation for the future of Vietnam’s retail landscape.
If you’re interested in enhancing your store operations, point-of-sale experience, or omnichannel strategy with AI-powered tools, we invite you to connect with us.
📩 Read our brochure or reach out to our team at info@votivasoft.com.
