Consumer Behavior

Shoppers will turn to AI in 2026

Photo: Generated by AI. Adobe Stock.

December 15, 2025

Summarize with

Shoppers will turn to AI companions in 2026 and embrace relevant innovation in the new year.

Those are two of several predictions compiled by Acosta Group and based on research and studies with its 40,000 proprietary shopper community.

The predictions also include the following:

Health gets personal, functional, and transparent.
Consumers demand holistic value — from stores to dining.

Seventy percent of shoppers have used AI tools and features to assist with their shopping journey — and in 2026, consumers will begin to depend on intelligent agents to plan, compare and then complete purchases, according to a press release on the predictions.

Yet, according to Acosta Group research, only 12% of shoppers currently trust AI to make purchases on their behalf, listing concerns about privacy and data use, unapproved purchases, fraud or scams and lack of control.

"Those brands, retailers and platforms that earn consumer trust will unlock the next level of AI-driven shopping," Kathy Risch, SVP, thought leadership and shopper insights, Acosta Group, said in the release. "We expect 2026 to be defined by new AI agent relationships and 'cautious experimentation' with AI automated checkout, with Gen Z in the driver's seat in adopting agentic commerce."