Consumers Increasingly Willing to Delegate Shopping to AI Agents

The survey of 25,590 participants across 16 countries highlights a pragmatic approach to automation. Respondents are most comfortable delegating repetitive, low-risk tasks like grocery restocking or subscription renewals. While 32% of users are open to letting an agent make purchase decisions within specific budget and brand parameters, only 9% currently allow agents to finalize transactions without manual oversight.

Consumer trust relies heavily on granular control, such as the ability to set clear permissions and override agent actions instantly. Personal identity remains a significant barrier to full autonomy; shoppers are far more likely to outsource the purchase of household staples than items linked to personal taste, such as clothing or travel experiences. Notably, 71% of respondents expect generative AI to influence at least half of their spending decisions within the next year.

For retailers, this evolution demands a shift in digital strategy. Brands must ensure their product data, pricing, and fulfillment policies are machine-readable so AI agents can effectively compare options. As 37% of loyal customers express a willingness to switch brands if an agent identifies a better fit, the competition is moving from human-facing marketing to algorithmic performance. Despite the rise of digital agents, 87% of consumers still anticipate that physical stores will retain a role, particularly in providing experiential value that algorithms cannot replicate.