The integration of advanced AI tools into shopping experiences marks a fundamental shift in how consumers interact with e-commerce. As AI-driven recommendations and personal shopping assistants enhance product discovery and conversion rates, traditional retailers are compelled to innovate or risk being left behind. This trend signals a new era of AI as a critical driver of sales and customer engagement in the retail sector.

A Reuters-based analysis carried by Indian and global outlets reports that U.S. online shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion on Black Friday, up 9.1% year-on-year, with AI-powered shopping tools like Walmart’s Sparky and Amazon’s Rufus helping drive an 805% surge in AI-driven traffic to retail sites. Adobe Analytics and Salesforce data show that AI chatbots and agents influenced an estimated $14.2 billion in global Black Friday sales by helping users discover products, compare prices and personalize deals, signaling that generative AI is rapidly becoming a front-end engine for e-commerce discovery.
A Reuters‑based report shows that AI‑powered shopping assistants such as Walmart’s Sparky and Amazon’s Rufus helped push US online Black Friday sales to a record US$11.8 billion, up 9.1% year‑on‑year. Adobe Analytics and Salesforce data indicate AI‑driven traffic to US retail sites surged 805% and that AI agents influenced US$14.2 billion in global online sales, underscoring how generative AI is rapidly reshaping consumer behavior and e‑commerce strategies.
Reuters-based reporting from multiple outlets finds that AI-powered shopping assistants like Walmart’s Sparky and Amazon’s Rufus helped push US Black Friday online spending to a record US$11.8 billion, up 9.1% year-on-year, with Adobe Analytics citing an 805% jump in AI-driven traffic to retail sites. Salesforce estimates that globally, AI agents influenced US$14.2 billion in Black Friday online sales, underscoring how conversational recommendation tools are rapidly becoming a central interface for e-commerce. ([straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/ai-helps-drive-record-us11-8-billion-in-black-friday-online-spending-in-the-us))
Adobe Analytics reported that U.S. consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, with AI-powered shopping tools such as personalized recommendations, dynamic pricing and automated customer service playing a key role in boosting sales. The surge underscores how retailers are leaning on AI to optimize promotions and conversions during peak shopping periods, raising the competitive bar for ecommerce platforms and AI providers alike.
Axios reports that U.S. retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart and Kohl’s are rolling out AI‑assisted product discovery and deal‑finding features as Cyber Monday promotions kick off. The push underscores how generative AI is becoming a front‑end shopping interface during the holiday rush, potentially reshaping search, recommendations and conversion for e‑commerce.

OpenAI rolled out a ‘shopping research’ mode inside ChatGPT and Perplexity launched an AI personal shopper with PayPal Instant Buy, positioning chatbots as product discovery and checkout hubs ahead of the holidays. The moves signal a broader shift to commerce monetization for AI assistants and new competitive pressure on traditional search and affiliate media.
OpenAI introduced a shopping research feature that compiles personalized buyer’s guides by scanning product pages, reviews and prices, starting to roll out across Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans. The launch comes ahead of Black Friday and builds on OpenAI’s broader push into commerce, with Instant Checkout support coming for participating merchants.