The AI Shopping Cart Rolls Faster Outside the US

§ 01 Executive Snapshot

• What: AI shopping tools are being adopted more rapidly in the UAE and Brazil compared to the U.S.
• Who: Consumers in the UAE, Brazil, and the U.S.; retailers in these regions; PYMNTS Intelligence and Visa Acceptance Solutions.
• Why it matters: The speed of AI adoption in retail could redefine competitive dynamics and customer relationships in commerce.

§ 02 Key Developments

• Nearly half of online shoppers globally reported using AI in their most recent purchase journey.
• In the UAE, consumers averaged 69 digital shopping days per month, compared to 67 in Brazil and 51 in the U.S.
• Only 37% of retailers surveyed plan to add or improve AI shopping assistants in the next three years.

§ 03 Strategic Context

• Historically, markets without legacy infrastructure, like Brazil and the UAE, often adopt new technologies faster than mature markets like the U.S.
• The findings indicate a growing divide in digital shopping habits and technology adoption between emerging markets and established ones.

§ 04 Strategic Implications

• U.S. retailers may struggle to keep up with consumer expectations as AI-assisted shopping becomes the norm in other regions.
• The competitive landscape may shift, with visibility and customer relationships becoming critical as AI interfaces dominate consumer interactions.

§ 05 Risks & Constraints

• Retailers in the U.S. risk falling behind as consumer preferences shift towards AI-driven shopping experiences.
• There is a growing caution among U.S. retailers regarding digital innovation, potentially limiting their responsiveness to evolving consumer behaviors.

§ 06 Watchlist / Forward Signals

• Monitoring adoption rates of AI shopping tools and mobile commerce in the U.S. compared to emerging markets.
• Future developments in consumer behavior and retailer responses to AI integration will indicate the success or failure of U.S. retail strategies.