Shelley Bransten articles

Shelley Bransten

Corporate Vice President, Global Industry Solutions, Microsoft

Shelley Bransten, Corporate Vice President, Global Industry Solutions, grew up in retail. She’s a passionate advocate for customers and works tirelessly to ensure they’re set up for success. During her time at Microsoft, she has overseen groundbreaking partnerships with leading brands and retailers across the globe. Shelley also sits on multiple boards including NRF, RILA, and Trove.

Published January 5, 2021

3 min read

4 ways to make the most of this year’s virtual NRF

NRF 2021 is going to be a first for all of us. I know I’m going to miss seeing many old colleagues and friends this month. NRF BIG Shows for me are just as much family reunion as they are industry conference. But as we’re all discovering, virtual conferences have some real advantages.

Published April 6, 2020

3 min read

Retail in the time of COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted our lives in ways many of us couldn’t have imagined. From how we interact with our friends and family to working from home and so much more. For me personally, juggling the joys of homeschooling my teenage boys with a packed work schedule has been a true personal test.

Published February 14, 2020

6 min read

Getting ready for EuroShop 2020: European retailers embracing tech intensity

With the excitement of NRF 2020 barely behind us, we are heading to Düsseldorf, the fashion capital of Germany, for the EuroShop Trade Fair, February 16-20.

Published January 21, 2020

3 min read

Takeaways from the National Retail Federation’s big show

It’s always exciting to go to an event like NRF! But there was something in the air that made NRF 2020 bigger and better than ever before. There were over 38,000 attendees who experienced three days of inspiring discussions and get a perspective on improving customer engagement.

Two customers shopping for headphones wearing VR devices

Published January 7, 2020

2 min read

4 must-do’s (and 3 trends to watch) for your trip to NRF 2020

The world’s largest retail conference is fast approaching and we want to make sure you make the most of it. I love going to NRF because not only can we celebrate what went well coming off of our busiest time of year, but we can look forward to an exciting year ahead.

Three supply chain employees packaging appeal for shipment

Published December 17, 2019

2 min read

How to deliver on the promise of intelligent retail

There has never been a more exciting time to be at the intersection of retail and technology. Challenging? Certainly. Opportunity? Absolutely, in fact full of it! Technology is enabling retailers to reimagine every aspect of the value chain.

Woman uses grocery store mobile app while shopping

Published July 1, 2019

2 min read

How consumer goods companies are unlocking the power of data

So how can consumer goods companies unlock their data to deliver more authentic brand experiences, be good for the planet or speed to market?

Customers tasting coffee while employee collects data from them

Published April 30, 2019

2 min read

Accelerating retailers’ digital transformation at the Microsoft Technology Center

Cloud-based solutions have become the de-facto standard to drive retail business agility, with 78% of retailers already using cloud technologies and 92% expecting to by next year

People crowding around Microsoft booth at NRF

Published January 22, 2019

4 min read

In case you missed it: My top takeaways from NRF 2019

Shelley Bransten, Corporate Vice President, Retail & CPG, shares her highlights from the show floor at the National Retail Federation’s annual conference and expo.

Two women conversing and using a windows laptop

Published January 3, 2019

2 min read

Join women rocking retail in The Girls’ Lounge at NRF 2019

Women have long been both the heart and spine of retail as consumers, first-line employees, designers, influencers, and leaders. But while women drive an estimated 70 to 80 percent of consumer spending and represent half of first-line employees, we only occupy 5.6 percent of S&P 500 retail company CEO positions.

Sales clerk and customer interacting at the counter and using a tablet

Published December 18, 2018

4 min read

4 reasons I can’t wait for NRF 2019

Sometimes it seems like we can barely go a week without reading a headline about a brick-and-mortar closure or missed profit expectations in the retail sector. While this might set off alarm bells for some, I’m feeling more optimistic about retail than ever, and I’ll tell you why. Shoppers are spending money in record amounts.