Online shopping stories

Lebesgue data from 35,000 eCommerce brands suggests AI-driven visits arrive with stronger purchase intent than standard search traffic.

AI shopping agents are moving retail from clicks to chat, as Walmart, Amazon and Google test protocols that let software search, compare and pay.

Amazon, Meta and Microsoft join Universal Commerce Protocol council as AI shopping standard draws major backing from retailers and payments groups.

Markable opens free creator tier and adds AI shopping tools as it targets a fast-growing social commerce market.

Ulta Beauty rolls out Google-powered AI shopping across Search and Gemini, while building its own assistant for personalised browsing and checkout.

Macy's rolls out Ask Macy's, a generative AI assistant that helps online shoppers find outfits, try on looks and get style guidance.

Adobe data shows AI-sourced visits to U.S. retail sites soared 393% in Q1 2026, while product pages lag on machine readability.

Ecommpay says Click to Pay is helping merchants win more completed online sales as guest checkout adoption rises and approval gaps widen.

Everywhen warns businesses and consumers to check web addresses, padlocks and browser alerts as fake sites fuel rising cyber fraud risk.

MiQ research finds consumers jump between screens and buying moments in minutes, prompting calls for a more flexible marketing model.

Wayvia rolls out Shoppable Next Generation to link ad campaigns with confirmed retail sales and Meta purchase signals for brands.

Mastercard and Lobster.cash to let OpenClaw users authorise AI agents to spend on existing cards, backed by Verifiable Intent.

American Express adds AI agent safeguards and purchase protection as it opens a developer kit for software-led buying.

AI skincare searches jump 2,647% as Fresha says beauty buyers are turning to image analysis, smart devices and app-led routines for guidance.

Shoppers increasingly prefer human-led social posts over AI-generated material, with Gen Z driving brands towards micro-influencers and niche creators.

Shopping sites top accessibility failure list as WebAIM finds 71 errors per page and disabled users struggle to complete purchases.

Superdry & Co turns to Verde Digital for SEO and AI search support as the rebranded retailer targets broader fashion discovery worldwide.

Rithum brings in former Realtor.com executive Mausam Bhatt to steer product strategy as it ramps up AI-led tools and automation across its platform.

Businesses warm to AI agents haggling over deals, but consumers remain wary of handing software full control of spending.

OpenAI is turning ChatGPT into a visual shopping hub, adding side‑by‑side comparisons and richer merchant data for in-chat product discovery.