"Retail's AI-driven digital transformation is well underway. In 2026, more than ever, customers are looking to technology for smoother, hassle-free shopping experiences, while businesses harness it to drive efficiency and hone their competitive edge. At the same time, the barriers between physical retail and e-commerce are blurring, and shifts in the way algorithms put products in front of us are shaking up the industry."
"Agents-think chatbots like ChatGPT that can take action and interact with third-party services-are the next leap forward in online shopping. Instead of spending hours poring through search results to find the best deals on groceries or holidays, agents will browse and buy for us. For retailers and customers alike, adapting to this new opportunity will be a critical trend in 2026."
"If agents are making buying decisions, how do we know we can trust them to get it right? Well, their behavior will be defined by Agentic Payment Protocols. Google has just unveiled its framework for doing just this, in partnership with payment services including Mastercard, American Express and Coinbase. This technology framework will be essential for building trust with customers and helping e-commerce retailers build agentic infrastructure."
Retail is undergoing an AI-driven digital transformation that will accelerate in 2026, as customers seek smoother, hassle-free shopping and businesses pursue efficiency and competitive advantage. AI agents will browse and buy on behalf of consumers, reducing time spent searching and acting as personal shoppers. Agentic Payment Protocols will govern agent behavior and establish trust; major companies including Google, Mastercard, American Express and Coinbase are creating frameworks for agent-enabled payments. Virtual influencers and integrated shopping on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram will expand social commerce. Physical retail and e-commerce will continue to converge as algorithms reshape product discovery.
#ai-agents #agentic-payment-protocols #virtual-influencers #social-commerce #retail-digital-transformation
Read at Forbes
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]