Artificial intelligence is changing holiday shopping. It’s transforming how people search for products, find deals, and make purchases. Tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini are becoming popular, offering personalized suggestions and real-time price info.
This season is special because AI is directly involved in shopping for the first time. Salesforce estimates that around one-fifth of this year’s holiday orders will be influenced by AI systems, leading to sales over $260 billion. Many consumers in the US, Ireland, and the UK say they use these tools to find products and deals.
Retailers need to keep up with this fast-changing environment. Data quality is crucial: if product descriptions are incomplete or wrong, smaller brands may not show up in AI models, causing lost sales.
At the same time, tech companies are building a new shopping experience through conversation. OpenAI’s ‘instant checkout’ feature lets users buy products from partners like Etsy, Shopify, Walmart, and Target without leaving the chat window. However, the choice of partners is made by AI companies, leaving out smaller retailers for now.
For many businesses, AI is a chance to grow. For instance, Burlap & Barrel uses its rich digital content to appear more often in AI searches, attracting new buyers to its website.
The new shopping era promises more convenience and personalization but needs careful attention from consumers. Those who trust AI blindly might end up with fewer choices, while informed shoppers will enjoy greater benefits.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a helpful tool anymore; it’s now a key part of the holiday shopping experience and is shaping a fast-evolving consumer landscape.
