Will Holiday Shopping Go Agentic? 40 Senior Execs Weigh In

AI summary of the source article

Following a roundtable at Mastercard’s New York technology hub, PYMNTS released a report assessing consumer and merchant readiness for agentic AI shopping. The study indicates that while AI is actively reshaping product discovery and price comparisons, consumers are cautious about granting software the authority to pick payment methods or finalize transactions. Retailers must adapt to varying consumer comfort levels, which differ significantly between routine purchases and high-value or luxury goods. Furthermore, post-purchase factors such as returns, refunds, and delivery resolution are critical in determining whether shoppers will trust AI agents with future transactions.

Why it matters

The development of agentic commerce impacts checkout flows, customer acquisition, and payment selection as software begins to mediate transactions.

Key facts

• Consumers are receptive to AI for gift discovery and price comparison, but hesitate to let it select payment methods or finalize purchases.
• The report stems from PYMNTS Intelligence research and an executive roundtable at Mastercard's New York technology hub.
• Post-purchase resolution, including refunds and returns, is critical to building consumer confidence in AI-assisted purchases.