AI-powered search and shopping agents are rapidly reshaping ecommerce economics, according to new research from Pattern Group Inc.
Pattern’s latest study finds that 76% of ecommerce organisations have reduced customer acquisition costs as consumers increasingly rely on AI-driven tools to discover and purchase products. The research also shows that one in three ecommerce brands (33%) has already deployed AI-powered shopping agents, signalling a fundamental shift in how consumers interact with online retail.
The findings are detailed in Pattern’s report, From Insights to Execution in AI-Powered Commerce, based on a survey of 1,000 senior business leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.
“AI agents aren’t a future interface—they’re a new operating layer for commerce,” said Ryan Byrd, Chief Technology Officer at Pattern. “Brands that treat agentic AI like just another marketing channel will fall behind. This shift rewards accuracy, availability, and trust, favoring brands built on clean data, real-time operations, and real customer value.”
As shoppers turn to AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to guide purchasing decisions, confidence in AI’s commercial impact is growing.
Eighty-seven percent of respondents expect AI-powered search to drive direct sales growth over the next 12 months.
Investment in AI is accelerating alongside adoption. Over the past year, ecommerce companies invested an average of $291,626 in AI, a figure projected to rise 11% to $323,886 in 2026, as brands prioritise AI-powered customer service, personalised advertising, and intelligent product discovery.
The research also highlights the rapid emergence of agentic commerce. More than half of ecommerce businesses (57%) are exploring AI agent use cases, while 33% are actively preparing for deployment. The fashion sector is leading adoption, with 46% of fashion brands prepared for AI agents to become a primary channel for customer discovery and purchase. The beauty industry is also investing heavily, with 59% exploring AI agents, though only 27% report being fully prepared.
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