Q&A: Sean O’Hagan, Retail Industry Director, HSO
For over 30 years, HSO helped organisations around the world transform with the full power of the Microsoft Cloud. Backed by decades of industry experience, award-winning delivery, and all six Microsoft Cloud Solution Designations, they bring deep expertise in Fabric and Copilot to turn data into action and AI into impact.
Whether you’re scaling innovation or simplifying complexity, our global team delivers the tools, talent, and technology to accelerate decision-making, automate operations, and drive measurable outcomes.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
My background has always sat at the intersection of retail operations and technology. I’ve worked closely with retailers across different sectors and growth stages, helping them modernise core systems, improve decision-making, and respond faster to market change. Over time, that’s evolved into a strong focus on using data, AI and integrated platforms to unlock real commercial outcomes.
With over a decade in enterprise technology and strategic account leadership, I help Retail organisations modernise legacy estates, unify data foundations, and embed AI into mission‑critical operations. I’ve led multi‑million‑pound portfolios across EMEA and North America, aligning C‑suite strategy with cloud and AI investments to ensure they deliver measurable, long‑term ROI. At HSO, I enable enterprises to leverage Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Azure, and AI, including Copilot and intelligent automation – to move from digital transformation to intelligence‑led transformation.
What does your company do? / What is your USP?
HSO helps retailers simplify complex operations and build more connected, data-driven businesses using Microsoft technology. Our USP lies in combining deep retail domain expertise with end-to-end Microsoft capability from ERP and commerce through to data, AI and analytics so transformation is practical, scalable, and outcome-focused.
What’s special about the platform and your approach?
We work with the Microsoft cloud ecosystem, particularly Dynamics 365, because it brings together commerce, supply chain, finance, and customer data on a single platform. Our approach is pragmatic: we focus on solving priority business challenges first, rather than implementing technology for its own sake, and we design solutions that evolve alongside the retailer.
What advantage does it add?
Retailers gain better visibility, faster decision-making, and more resilient operations. By unifying data and processes, organisations can respond more quickly to demand changes, control costs, and deliver more consistent customer experiences across channels.
How does a product/service implementation actually look like and how do you measure success?
Implementations are typically phased, starting with the areas that deliver the fastest business impact. Success is measured against clear commercial outcomes such as improved stock availability, reduced operational costs, increased margins, or improved customer satisfaction rather than just system go-live milestones.
How are retailers using your systems to gain competitive advantage and what does best practice look like? Can you share a case study with us?
Retailers are using our solutions to gain real-time insight into stock, optimise supply chains, and personalise customer journeys. For example, we’ve worked with retailers to reduce “ghost stock,” improve demand forecasting, and create more responsive fulfilment models – directly improving both profitability and customer experience.
Are there other companies you partner with?
Yes, partnership is central to our model. We work closely with Microsoft and collaborate with a wider ecosystem of ISVs and industry specialists to ensure retailers have access to best-in-class tools and innovation where it makes sense.
What challenges and opportunities do you see in UK retail for 2026?
Retailers are navigating continued cost pressure, supply chain volatility, and rising customer expectations, while also being asked to do more with less. At the same time, there’s a significant opportunity to differentiate through data, automation, and AI—particularly in areas like forecasting, pricing, and customer engagement.
How will you address these challenges and turn them into successes?
By helping retailers focus on clarity and prioritisation. That means using technology to eliminate inefficiency, improve decision-making and build resilience – while ensuring AI and automation are applied where they make a tangible business difference.
What is on the horizon for you as a company?
HSO is continuing to invest heavily in AI, data platforms, and industry accelerators for retail. Our focus is on helping retailers move from insight to action faster, while building foundations that support long-term growth and innovation.
Any final thoughts?
Retail transformation isn’t about chasing trends – it’s about creating an organisation that can adapt continuously. Retailers that invest now in connected platforms, data, and people will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive market.
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To find out how HSO can help your retail operation, visit them online here or connect with them on LinkedIn here
