Consumer Behavior

More consumers tapping AI when looking for a deal

Photo: gguy - stock.adobe.com

April 10, 2026

Summarize with

A hefty number of consumers, nearly 70%, are using AI to find deals and retailer discounts.

That is a top finding from a XCComerce and SmartBrief study, "The 2026 Shopper Study: How Promotions and Incentives Influence Choice."

Even a bigger number, 83%, said valuable savings or rewards are what keep them loyal to a retailer, according to a press release.

Additional findings include:

Nearly half of shoppers buy more than planned or try new brands when redeeming an offer.
Half the respondents said they don't care where they receive offers (in-store, online, or on mobile), but they want promotions to work consistently across channels.
Nearly 40% of consumers said they most often notice offers via email or text, and 23% said online ads or social media catch their eyes.
Consumers care more about getting a quality deal (80%) than simply the lowest price (58%).

"Indisputably, shoppers are changing how they engage with promotions, looking to ChatGPT and open-sourced AI tools to accelerate the search," Danny Rosenoff, CEO, XCCommerce, said in the release. "However, more than anything, our research is clear that consumers aren't looking for more promotions; rather, personalized and consistent incentives wherever and however they shop."