According to Walmart's 2025 retail restructuring report, 27% of US consumers trust AI shopping recommendations, compared to 24% trust recommendations from influential people on social media. In addition, 48% of respondents said that AI helps improve their shopping experience.
According to experts, AI has brought something that many consumers see as achievable: convenience. Accordingly, what shoppers search for in AI today are not the advanced, flashy applications that we often imagine. They value practical functions - simple, effective solutions that solve practical problems.
privacy concerns
Walmart's report also shows four exciting trends in what shoppers really want from AI.
Traditional search methods still dominate: Despite advances in AI and GenAI shopping tools, most shoppers still start searching by manual entering traditional searchbars. Social media is the second most popular method. In other words, AI still has a lot of work to do before it becomes a default access point.
Belief in AI varies depending on the product portfolio: According to research, shoppers are more comfortable using digital assistants for less risky shopping transactions such as household appliances. But when it comes to expensive or emotionally meaningful items like furniture or food/groceries, AI faces a barrier to trust.
AI can propose but cannot replace human decision-making: Shopping people are not ready to completely rely on AI shopping assistants. They are eager to have a human system in a loop where human supervision and control are maintained.
In fact, 46% of respondents said they were not sure or rarely used digital assistants or employees to handle their entire shopping trip. For me, my interests are very clear: AI can help guide, but the buyer wants to be the one who clicks the "buy" button.
privacy and security concerns: Consumers are increasingly aware of how their data is used and want to control their data more. Here are the most important things for them:
27% of respondents wanted transparency about data use and third-party involvement.
26% of respondents wanted to control data shared, with clear privacy settings.
25% of respondents only want to collect the minimum amount of data, avoiding storing sensitive personal information.
