Most Stores Plan for AI Shopping Helpers. Few Are Ready Yet

Stores say they are getting ready for AI shopping helpers, but most are not there yet. Only 15% of merchants have the product data these helpers need. And if you let an AI agent act on your Wells Fargo account after Nov 24, the bank's new terms say you carry the risk.

Plans versus reality

A BCG survey found 67% of retailers plan to improve their product data for AI shopping agents within two years. Another 58% plan to share real-time stock levels with them. The sample was 50 of the top 300 global retailers and 100 top global brands, plus interviews. These are plans, not finished work. The figures are global, with no U.S. breakdown.

What stores can do today

A separate study from PYMNTS Intelligence and Visa shows the gap. Only 11% of small and medium merchants and 19% of large ones count as agent-ready. Just 23% can tell AI visitors from human shoppers. Yet about 68% expect AI agents to drive at least 5% of their digital sales within two years.

• QVC is feeding its catalog to OpenAI and Google.
• Kate Spade lets AI browse but blocks buying.
• Amazon continues to block Muse entirely.
• Shopify has switched on Agentic Storefronts by default, with access to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, AI Mode in Google Search and the Gemini app.

On Shopify, orders flow back to the merchant, who stays the merchant of record. That means the store remains the official seller on the order.

Shoppers are cautious too

A ChannelEngine report found 58% of shoppers have used AI tools to research products. Only 17% feel comfortable buying directly through them. Many people are happy to ask an AI for ideas but not to hand it their card.

Three dates to know

Apple's HomeView, priced at $299, becomes available on Nov 13. Wells Fargo's Online Access Agreement takes effect Nov 24. Black Friday is Nov 27. The Wells Fargo terms say transactions made through an AI agent are "deemed to have been initiated and authorized directly by you." They also say using any AI agent is "AT YOUR OWN RISK." That covers any agent a customer connects to the service.

What happens next

Things should change once enough merchants move from planning to shipping. That requires cleaner product data and a clear answer on who pays when an automated purchase goes wrong. Until then, an AI helper may not be well served by the store, and mistakes could land on you.