Consumers are increasingly integrating mobile and AI into every stage of the shopping journey, driving higher expectations for seamless, personalized retail experiences. As digital engagement rises, a gap is emerging between consumer demands and merchant capabilities, particularly around discovery, payments, and convenience.
Key Takeaways
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AI-powered shopping goes mainstream: Nearly half of shoppers now use AI tools for product discovery.
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Mobile central to commerce: Consumers are using smartphones throughout both online and in-store experiences.
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Expectation gap widening: Shoppers demand features such as flexible payments, price matching, and real-time inventory, while many merchants are slowing their digital investments.
