I recently wrote an article titled “The Future of Agentic AI Ecosystems in Retail” for Retail TouchPoints, where I explored how autonomous agents are evolving in e-commerce and what that means for brands, platforms, and shoppers. Below are some of the key questions and insights I discussed.
What Retailers Should Understand About Agentic AI Ecosystems
What is agentic AI, and how is it changing ecommerce?
Agentic AI refers to autonomous agents acting on behalf of users to browse, compare, and even purchase products. It’s moving rapidly beyond simple assistants and could reshape fundamental expectations in ecommerce.Which companies are already building or using agentic tools?
Examples like Amazon’s Buy For Me, Mastercard’s Agent Pay, Walmart’s developing tools, Google’s AI Mode, etc., show how big players are investing in this future.How many consumers trust agents to buy for them?
According to a recent survey, 66% of consumers currently refuse agentic AI when making purchases, even if it promises better deals. But that resistance may shift as usage and familiarity grow.
Key Concerns & Strategic Questions for the Future
What does “owning the AI shopping ecosystem” mean for power and data?
When companies control marketplaces, payment, fulfillment, and AI, they also control critical data flows. That can create huge leverage and potentially an unfair advantage.Will a consolidated ecosystem hurt small and lesser-known brands?
If a few major players dominate, exposure may tilt toward big brands. Small brands may struggle to be discovered or included unless they pay to play.Can consumers’ needs be met if AI agents become closed systems?
If agents only operate in certain ecosystems or favor certain sellers, users may lose out on choice, better deals, or discovery. Also, fragmented ecosystems might cause friction or confusion.How must brands shift from acquisition-first to post-purchase and loyalty focus?
With agents acting for customers, traditional loyalty (based on emotion, recognition, repeat purchase) may weaken. Brands might need to be the “preferred option” via quality, experience, and first-party channels (email, SMS, etc.).