Consumer Behavior

AI isn’t the only recommendation aspect in holiday shopping

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November 4, 2026

Summarize with

While AI tools are being used by more consumers when it comes to shopping and browsing, consumers are turning to friends, family and physical stores for inspiration and gift ideas.

That's top finding of a Mall of America survey that polled 1,775 consumers. The survey revealed 45% anticipate using AI for holiday shopping but fewer than 1% view it as a top choice for gift ideas, according to a press release.

"Technology is giving shoppers new ways to plan for the holidays, but there's still something special about discovering the perfect gift in-person and sharing those moments with family and friends," Jill Renslow, chief business development and marketing officer at Mall of America, said in the release.

Additional findings include:

Six in 10 respondents (61%) plan to look for more deals, promotions or rewards this holiday season, compared with 53% in Mall of America's 2025 survey.
27% anticipate spending less than last year, down from 34% in 2025. Meanwhile, 44% expect to spend about the same, and 16% plan to spend more.
% plan to do most of their holiday shopping through a mix of online and in-person channels, compared with 66% in 2025.

Consumer Behavior