Agentic Commerce is Redefining Retail—Here’s How to Respond

BCG
BCG 4M
AI shopping agents are transforming retail by automating consumer interactions, posing challenges for traditional retailers who must adapt to maintain relevance.
Agentic Commerce is Redefining Retail—Here’s How to Respond
A What happened
AI shopping agents are revolutionizing the retail sector by automating the shopping process, allowing consumers to receive tailored product recommendations without manual effort. This shift is leading to a significant increase in consumer engagement, with users arriving via AI agents showing higher intent to purchase. However, traditional retailers face risks of disintermediation as consumers increasingly bypass retailer websites in favor of AI platforms. To navigate this new landscape, retailers must invest in AI technologies, enhance their visibility within AI ecosystems, and develop proprietary agents that offer unique customer experiences. The transition from traditional search engine optimization to generative experience optimization is crucial for maintaining relevance in an AI-driven marketplace. Retailers must also build robust data infrastructures to support scalable AI integration and ensure seamless operations.

Why it matters

  • AI Agents Transform Shopping: AI agents automate shopping tasks, enhancing consumer engagement and streamlining the purchasing process.

  • Retailers Face Disintermediation Risks: Traditional retailers risk losing direct customer access as AI platforms dominate the shopping journey.

  • Need for Proprietary AI Agents: Retailers must develop unique AI agents to differentiate themselves and enhance customer experiences.

Topics

Technology & Innovation Artificial Intelligence Business & Markets Markets Innovation Retail & E-commerce

Read the full article on BCG

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