48% of Online Shoppers Now Use AI Before Buying

AI agents are no longer just a futuristic concept; they are actively shaping how customers shop and pay. Nearly half of online shoppers now use AI tools before making a purchase. This shift means your customers are increasingly relying on software to research products, compare prices, and decide which financing options offer the best value. For retailers, this changes the game of customer acquisition. You aren't just selling to a human; you are selling to an algorithm that prioritizes efficiency and data accuracy. The rise of 'agentic commerce' means these AI tools will soon handle the checkout process autonomously. This includes selecting preferred payment methods and applying for credit or Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) terms on behalf of the user. If your financing options aren't integrated into these AI ecosystems, you risk being invisible at the moment of decision. Merchants must ensure their payment infrastructure is compatible with these 'shoppers' to maintain conversion rates. Trust is the new currency here. If an AI agent doesn't 'trust' your checkout flow or finds the financing terms unclear, it will simply route the customer elsewhere. Retailers should focus on making their credit offers and promotional terms machine-readable and highly transparent to stay competitive in this automated landscape.

Source: PYMNTS

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