One in Three Ecommerce Brands Now Use AI Agents to Drive Shopping, New Pattern Report Finds

min read

London, 21st January 2026 – AI-powered search and shopping agents are rapidly reshaping ecommerce economics, according to new research from Pattern Group Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRN), a leader in accelerating brands across global ecommerce marketplaces through proprietary technology and AI.

Pattern’s latest study finds that 76% of ecommerce organisations have reduced customer acquisition costs as consumers increasingly rely on AI-driven tools to discover and purchase products. The research also shows that one in three ecommerce brands (33%) has already deployed AI-powered shopping agents, signalling a fundamental shift in how consumers interact with online retail.

The findings are detailed in Pattern’s report, From Insights to Execution in AI-Powered Commerce, based on a survey of 1,000 senior business leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.

“We’re seeing a decisive shift from AI as a supporting tool to AI as an active participant in commerce,” said Ryan Byrd, Chief Technology Officer at Pattern. “As AI-native shoppers increasingly rely on agents to discover, evaluate, and purchase products, brands must rethink how their data, systems, and customer experiences work together. The opportunity isn’t just lower acquisition costs—it’s building intelligent, scalable commerce ecosystems that earn trust and drive growth in an agent-driven world.”

As shoppers turn to AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to guide purchasing decisions, confidence in AI’s commercial impact is growing. Eighty-seven percent of respondents expect AI-powered search to drive direct sales growth over the next 12 months.

Investment in AI is accelerating alongside adoption. Over the past year, ecommerce companies invested an average of $291,626 in AI, a figure projected to rise 11% to $323,886 in 2026, as brands prioritise AI-powered customer service, personalised advertising, and intelligent product discovery.

The research also highlights the rapid emergence of agentic commerce. More than half of ecommerce businesses (57%) are exploring AI agent use cases, while 33% are actively preparing for deployment. The fashion sector is leading adoption, with 46% of fashion brands prepared for AI agents to become a primary channel for customer discovery and purchase. The beauty industry is also investing heavily, with 59% exploring AI agents, though only 27% report being fully prepared.

The full From Insights to Execution in AI-Powered Commerce report is available here.

About Pattern
Pattern accelerates brands on global ecommerce marketplaces leveraging proprietary technology and AI. Utilising more than 46 trillion data points, sophisticated machine learning and AI models, Pattern optimises and automates all levers of ecommerce growth for global brands, including advertising, content management, logistics and fulfilment, pricing, forecasting and customer service. Hundreds of global brands depend on Pattern’s ecommerce acceleration platform every day to drive profitable revenue growth across 60+ global marketplaces — including Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, eBay, Allegro, TikTok Shop, Media Markt, and Otto. To learn more, visit uk.pattern.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including but not limited to statements regarding future strategies, capabilities, investments, performance, growth, consumer sentiment, costs, and timing of any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently difficult to predict and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Additional information regarding factors that could materially impact results and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein can be found in our final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 19, 2025, in our Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 6, 2025, and in our subsequent filings with the SEC. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so.

Related News

November 12, 2025

Pattern Appoints Luke Elliott as Vice President of Ecommerce, Europe

August 22, 2025

Pattern Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering

July 2, 2025

Pattern Welcomes Sue Taylor and Ann Mather to its Board of Directors