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72% of UAE Shoppers Used AI for Their Latest Purchase

AI is reshaping how consumers discover products and financing offers, with 72% of shoppers already using the technology to guide their purchases.

Curated by Financing Your Way from original reporting by PYMNTS. Summary is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed — see our editorial standards.

FYWBy Financing Your Way EditorialSeptember 3, 2026

AI is no longer a futuristic concept for retail; it is actively shaping how customers find products and choose how to pay. New data shows that 72% of shoppers in the UAE used AI during their most recent purchase journey. While this report focuses on the Middle East, it serves as a critical bellwether for global retail trends. Shoppers are increasingly using AI as a personal research assistant to compare offers and navigate complex purchasing decisions before they even hit your checkout page. For retailers, this means your financing offers need to be discoverable by AI tools. As consumers move away from manual searches toward AI-driven recommendations, the clarity and competitiveness of your Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) or monthly payment plans become even more important. If an AI agent is comparing your store against a competitor, the availability of transparent, instant credit can be the deciding factor that wins the sale. The friction-free 'wallet-less' experience is becoming the new standard. Merchants must ensure their financing options are integrated into a digital-first ecosystem where a phone acts as the storefront, research tool, and payment method all at once. If your checkout process feels like 'yesterday,' you risk losing the modern, AI-equipped shopper who values speed and automated assistance above all else.

Source: PYMNTS

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