Retailer AI Assistants: Are Shoppers Actually Using Them?

This podcast episode analyzes the low adoption rate of retailer AI shopping assistants despite high consumer usage of AI shopping tools in general. The speaker presents data showing that prominent assistants from Amazon and Walmart have higher usage than those from other retailers, attributing this success to their prominent placement within the respective apps. The speaker argues that successful AI assistants are seamlessly integrated into existing shopping behaviors rather than presented as separate features, and that retailers should focus on specialized tools rather than trying to compete with general-purpose AI assistants. The episode concludes by discussing the implications for brands, emphasizing the need for AI-ready product data and preparing for sponsored recommendations within AI-powered shopping experiences.