Agentic AI Survey Says: Smart Enough to Shop, Not Yet Trusted to Spend

Research evidence excerpt

Agentic AI Survey Says: Smart Enough to Shop, Not Yet Trusted to Spend

May 15, 2026

Executive Summary:

Retail competition is shifting from eCommerce penetration to control of the “decision layer” between search and

checkout. Our 2,500-consumer Agentic AI survey shows shopping remains hybrid and convenience-driven: digital is mainstream

but not dominant, with Amazon leading online entry while stores retain an edge in immediacy; Costco lags among large retailers.

Agentic AI is beginning to steer discovery and retailer choice, favoring scaled ecosystems with traffic, data, loyalty, and fulfillment.

Amazon is best positioned, Walmart is the clearest challenger, and undifferentiated retailers face increasing share pressure.

The broader eCommerce backdrop matters because it defines where AI can actually monetize. Online shopping is

mainstream but still hybrid: nearly half of consumers do about half of their shopping online, while only a small minority are almost

fully online, and retailer-owned apps/websites still dominate the digital trip (pages 10-11). The reason is straightforward – online

remains a utility-led behavior, with convenience at roughly 75% leading selection at roughly 56% and price at roughly 50% – but

stores retain a durable moat because about 72% still value seeing and touching products, about 56% want immediate product

access, and about 47% want to avoid shipping costs (pages 12-15). Grocery is the clearest case where fulfillment speed is

tightening, but willingness to pay extra for same-day delivery in non-food remains limited, reinforcing that speed is a competitive

necessity more than a standalone profit pool (pages 52-53).

What is Agentic AI → Consumers aren’t sure. It is software that can compare products, build baskets, apply deals, manage