AI shopping agents are beginning to move beyond product recommendations and controlled demonstrations. Visa has announced that AI agents can now complete purchases on behalf of consumers at participating merchants' websites across Europe. The transactions take place in live commercial environments rather than test storefronts, bringing agentic commerce closer to everyday use. During these transactions, AI agents can browse products, choose suitable options, and initiate a purchase according to instructions set by the cardholder. Visa connects the consumer’s bank, the merchant, and the AI system while providing authentication and payment infrastructure. The development addresses one of the hardest questions in…
Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to long-term business strategy. According to KPMG's latest survey of 250 retail executives, retailers are increasing investments in digital technologies at a rapid pace. More than half of respondents now spend at least $50 million annually on digital transformation, while nearly one-third invest between $100 million and $250 million each year. The report also shows where those investments are heading. Over the next 12 months, retailers expect to increase spending on cybersecurity (52%), data and analytics (49%), and AI and automation (42%). For the retail industry, AI is no longer viewed as a standalone…
