New research from Pattern Group Inc. is saying 1 in 3 ecommerce brands already use AI powered shopping agents to guide customers through the customer journey, from search to checkout.
These agents operate on AI powered search tools and chat interfaces that shoppers already use. Tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini help people compare products, check availability and complete purchases. Pattern says this behaviour cuts marketing waste, with 76% of ecommerce organisations reporting lower customer acquisition costs through AI powered search.
Consumer shopping habits are changing with this rise of agentic commerce and this can be seen in countless reports and research. AI agents do things like interpret natural language questions, narrow options and complete transactions, which shortens the route from interest to payment.
Why Are Ecommerce Brands Spending More On AI Agents?
Money is moving towards AI because results are appearing in sales and costs. Pattern found that ecommerce companies invested an average of $291,626 in AI over the past year. That amount is expected to go up to $323,886 in 2026 as brands put more budget into AI powered customer service, advertising and product discovery.
Sales leaders see gains from this spending. The report says 87% of respondents expect AI powered search to lift direct sales over the next 12 months. Confidence is highest in the US, where 91% of businesses expect positive sales results, based on Pattern’s survey.
Smaller ecommerce teams also report high interest with teams of 1-5 staff reported higher adoption rates than larger groups, which Pattern says has to do with faster decision making and fewer legacy systems. These teams often use AI agents to handle customer questions and product guidance without adding staff costs.
Pattern’s research says 73% of organisations believe personalised and scalable shopping experiences are now expected. AI agents deliver this through personalised recommendations and automated follow up without manual workload.
Which Sectors Are Using AI Agents To Drive Sales First?
Pattern reports that 46% of fashion brands are prepared for AI agents to become a main source of product discovery and purchase. Many already test virtual style assistants that suggest outfits and guide sizing choices.
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Beauty brands also invest heavily. According to Pattern, 59% of beauty businesses explore AI agent use cases, although only 27% say they are fully prepared. These agents often use skincare data and product knowledge to give advice similar to an in store consultation.
Vitamins and supplements follow after, with Pattern having found that 62% of brands in this category explore AI agents, with 28% prepared for rollout. Personalised recommendations based on lifestyle and preferences play a big part in repeat purchases.
Across all sectors, agent led shopping supports repeat sales after checkout. AI agents can trigger reordering reminders and handle support queries, keeping customers engaged without long waits or call queues.
What Does This Mean For Ecommerce Sales Over The Next Year?
AI powered search already correlates directly with sales growth. Pattern reports that 76% of ecommerce organisations say AI search tools lowered customer acquisition costs, especially among smaller teams. Lower costs allow brands to spend more on stock, pricing and service quality.
When it comes to trust, Pattern says AI systems reward accurate product data, reliable reviews and consistent content. Brands that invest in structured information stand a better chance of being selected by shopping agents during recommendations.
Sales forecasts also look positive over the next year. About 75% of survey respondents believe AI powered search will continue to support sales over the next two years, based on Pattern’s research. That confidence explains why budgets keep rising.
Leadership readiness differs across markets where 73% of organisations feel unprepared for the pace of AI development. Ethical concerns, older systems and resistance inside teams slow progress, particularly in the UK and US.
This data was all measured with a survey that 1,000 senior business leaders across the UK, US, Germany and the UAE participated in.
“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, favouring brands built on clean data, real-time operations, and real customer value.”
