1 in 3 Gen Z and 1 in 4 Millennials Now Turn to AI Platforms over Other Channels for Shopping Advice, According to New Survey from Commerce and Future Commerce
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Younger generations are leading the charge into the agentic commerce era with 33% of Gen Z and 26% of Millennials preferring AI platforms for product research, according to a new report from Commerce (NASDAQ:CMRC), an open, intelligent ecosystem of technology solutions that empower businesses to unlock data potential and deliver seamless, personalized experiences at scale, produced in partnership with Future Commerce.
The survey of 1,000 consumers across the U.S., U.K., and Australia/New Zealand reveals how AI platforms are transforming the way people research, discover and buy products, as well as redefining trust in the shopping journey.
"Agentic commerce is no longer a concept on the horizon, it's here, and it's already the first stop in the shopping journey," said Al Williams, general manager of B2C at Commerce, the parent company of BigCommerce, Feedonomics and Makeswift. "Gen Z and Millennials now trust AI more than search, social or influencers to guide what they buy. The shift is clear: brands that show up inside AI-driven platforms will be the ones earning relevance and loyalty in this new era."
The report, New Modes: How AI is Shaping New Commerce Contexts and Expectations, found that Gen Z shoppers are nearly as likely to use AI platforms (33%) for product research as they are search engines (37%). For Millennials, the gap widens with 26% choosing AI platforms compared to 40% preferring search engines. Meanwhile, just 13% of Gen X and 3% of Boomers prefer to use AI for product research.
Beyond research, these large language model platforms are building credibility with shoppers, as 23% of Gen Z and 27% of Millennials reported they are starting to trust AI platforms more than people for curated product recommendations.
LLM platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity are becoming part of the go-to tech toolkit, with 41% of all respondents using them daily. The growing prevalence of these tools, especially for more mid-funnel activities like comparing specific products and brands, reaffirms how critical it is for brands to understand when and why their target customers use AI. From there, they must develop an Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) or Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategy that includes rich brand and product data, which will ultimately feed these platforms and bring consumers closer to conversion.
"Consumers are embracing a new omnimodal reality. Shopping is no longer just an activity—it's an identity," said Phillip Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Future Commerce. "AI platforms aren't just tools; they're becoming trusted companions in the consumer journey. For retailers and brands, the implication is clear: the path to trust and loyalty increasingly runs through AI-driven channels."
The study also highlights how consumers are diversifying their use of different touchpoints beyond traditional search engines and retailer websites. Nearly half (48%) of consumers say they maintain a perpetual mental shopping list, reflecting an "always-on" mindset where commerce is embedded into our daily life and interactions with culture, community, and media. Platforms such as YouTube, ChatGPT, and WhatsApp are becoming critical spaces for both inspiration and transaction, collapsing the traditional commerce funnel.
Key Findings from the 2025 New Modes Report
- 23% of Gen Z and 27% of Millennials trust AI product recommendations more than human ones
- 46% of Gen Z and Millennials use AI platforms daily
- 41% of all respondents use AI platforms daily
- Gen Z is nearly 3X more likely than Gen X to use AI for product research
- 63% of consumers abandon carts when forced to create accounts, underscoring ongoing friction in branded ecommerce site experiences
- 48% of all consumers maintain a "perpetual shopping list," blurring the line between shopping as an activity and shopping as a state of mind
- 55% of consumers said they would unsubscribe to a brand they like if they receive too many marketing messages from them
The full New Modes 2025 report is available here: https://www.futurecommerce.com/fc-insights/new-modes-2025-how-ai-is-shaping-new-commerce-contexts-and-expectations
Methodology
Future Commerce and Commerce partnered with Centiment to conduct an online survey of 1,000 consumers in June 2025, evenly split between males and females. Respondents varied in terms of their age and geographic locations. To ensure we had a balanced view of behavioral trends and shifts, the final respondent pool was evenly split between the US, UK, and AU/NZ, as well as the following age demographics:
- Gen Z 18-28
- Millennials 29-44
- Gen X 45-60
- Boomer 60+
About Commerce
Commerce (NASDAQ:CMRC) empowers businesses to innovate, grow, and thrive by providing an open, AI-driven commerce ecosystem. As the parent company of BigCommerce, Feedonomics, and Makeswift, Commerce connects the tools and systems that power growth, enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of their data, deliver seamless and personalized experiences across every channel, and adapt swiftly to an ever-changing market. Trusted by leading businesses like Coldwater Creek, Cole Haan, Harvey Nichols, King Arthur Baking Co., Mizuno, Patagonia, Perry Ellis, Puma, SportsShoes, and Uplift Desk, Commerce delivers the storefront control, optimized data, and AI-ready tools businesses need to grow, serve diverse buyers, and operate with confidence in an increasingly intelligent, multi-surface world. For more information, visit commerce.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.
About Future Commerce
Future Commerce is the leading culture magazine for eCommerce and retail leaders, shaping the discourse for omnichannel commerce. Dedicated to the discovery of and discourse around ideas that shape the eCommerce ecosystem, Future Commerce delivers reporting and strategic analysis in the form of original podcasts, newsletters, custom research and events exploring the impact of commerce innovation on the world around us. Its analysis and perspectives are trusted by 170,000+ retail decision makers and curious consumers around the globe. Learn more at www.futurecommerce.com
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