Many e-commerce brands now deploying AI powered shopping agents, Pattern research
AI powered search and shopping agents are rapidly reshaping e-commerce economics, according to research from Pattern Group.
The company’s study, which involves a survey of 1,000 senior business leaders across the US, UK, Germany, and the UAE, finds that 76% of e-commerce organisations have reduced customer acquisition costs as consumers increasingly rely on AI driven tools to discover and purchase products. One in three have already deployed AI powered shopping agents.
“AI agents aren’t a future interface - they’re a new operating layer for commerce,” says Ryan Byrd, Chief Technology Officer at Pattern. “Brands that treat agentic AI like just another marketing channel will fall behind. This shift rewards accuracy, availability, and trust, favoring brands built on clean data, real-time operations, and real customer value.”
As shoppers turn to AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to guide purchasing decisions, confidence in AI’s commercial impact is growing. 87% of respondents expect AI powered search to drive direct sales growth over the next 12 months.
Investment in AI is accelerating alongside adoption. Over the past year, e-commerce companies invested an average of $291,626 in AI, a figure projected to rise 11% to $323,886 in 2026, as brands prioritise AI powered customer service, personalised advertising, and intelligent product discovery.
The research also highlights the rapid emergence of agentic commerce. 57% of e-commerce businesses are exploring AI agent use cases, while 33% are actively preparing for deployment. The fashion sector is leading adoption, with 46% of fashion brands prepared for AI agents to become a primary channel for customer discovery and purchase. The beauty industry is also investing heavily, with 59% exploring AI agents, though only 27% report being fully prepared.
RTIH AI in Retail Awards
RTIH proudly presents the first edition of its AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by VenHub Global, 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
With 2026 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2026 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
Continue reading…