News Briefs

A new survey reveals the impact of artificial intelligence on how consumers shop digitally.

A majority of surveyed U.S. consumers have used AI tools to help them shop online, according to a study by customer experience personalization technology provider Bloomreach. Six-in-10 (61%) respondents have leveraged general purpose AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to help them shop online.

And more than 66% of respondents were at least somewhat familiar with AI assistants built specifically for shopping, such as Amazon Rufus, with 57% having used one in the past six to nine months and 42% becoming aware of these kinds of AI solutions in the past year.

Half of respondents said they would be more likely to use an AI assistant if it knew preferences such as size or style and used that data to personalize responses and recommendations. Time savings was the biggest benefit of AI shopping assistants cited by respondents, followed by easier navigation and better product recommendations.

[READ MORE: Survey: AI tool usage, trust up from last year among consumers]

How AI affects search

• Over the past 12 months, 54% of respondents felt their search habits becoming more conversational, incorporating more natural language.
• More than one-in-three respondents said they search e-commerce sites using questions (i.e. “What do I wear to a black-tie wedding as a 20-year-old woman?”).
• As their search habits have begun to change, 93% of respondents said it is important that e-commerce site search understands conversational queries.

An online survey was conducted from Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 2025 among 1,007 U.S. adults aged 18-50. The survey was administered through Propeller Insights.

There’s no let up in sight when to comes to online consumer spending.

Online consumer spending is set to reach $4.4 trillion in 2025, with the United States contributing $1.4 trillion, according to a study by technology research and advisory group Omdia. By 2029, the total is projected to surge to $6.6 trillion, with the U.S. accounting for $2 trillion of total online expenditure.

The report also noted that retail media and shoppable TV driving a transformation in how content, commerce and advertising intersect, creating new avenues for businesses to capitalize on. The integration of connected television (CTV), TV operating systems (TV OS) and retail media is creating seamless pathways from content consumption to purchase, unlocking new revenue streams for broadcasters, advertisers and retailers, according to Omdia.

“Shoppable TV presents a massive opportunity for retailers, advertisers, and content creators,” said Maria Rua Aguete, senior research director, Omdia. “However, challenges remain such as seamless checkout, consumer trust, and platform integration which must be addressed before its full potential is realized.” 

Companies that successfully integrate CTV, TV OS and retail media into their strategies will be well-positioned to capture significant market share and drive growth in the next era of digital commerce, the report said.

Dollar General is teaming with a country music legend for a new spring collection.

The discounter, which released its first kitchen and housewares line in partnership with Dolly Parton in July 2024, is now offering a new spring kitchen and housewares collection featuring a range of products such as home decor, drinkware, at-home coffee bar supplies, and table linens.

Signature pieces include a French press, tea kettle and rotating coffee pod holder with the collection’s items in wood, white, gold, pink and pastel blue hues. Customers can shop the collection for $10 and under at any Dollar General store.

“As a Tennessee-based company, we are thrilled to build on our alignment with Dolly’s kitchen and housewares brand and to bring our customers this unique collection from the icon and Tennessee native,” said Johanna Blankush, senior VP, general merchandise manager at Dollar General. “DG strives to surprise and delight customers, and we are excited to welcome more than 45 new kitchen and houseware items this spring along with two additional seasonal collections planned for later this year.”

In addition to the spring Dolly Parton collection, Dollar General will launch a summer entertaining collection slated to arrive at stores in May, and a Christmas collection planned for this holiday season.

[READ MORE: Dollar General’s new private label items will include…]

Headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tenn., as of Nov. 3, 2023, Dollar General Corp. operates 19,726 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and Popshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico.

Most consumers who plan to celebrate St. Partick’s Day (March 17) intend to buy something, and more than half have one product category in mind.

According to purchase tracking and consumer survey data from Numerator, 33% of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. More than nine-in-10 (92%) of St. Patrick’s Day celebrators plan to purchase something for their holiday celebrations, with the most popular items being food (56%) and alcoholic beverages (46%).

Of those consumers planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by purchasing alcoholic beverages, 60% will purchase beer and 46% intend to purchase Irish beers specifically, such as Guinness or Smithwicks.

Seven-in-10 (71%) of consumers making St. Patrick’s Day purchases intend to spend the same amount as in 2024, with 53% of them expecting to spend less than $50. The three most popular destinations for St. Patrick’s Day shoppers are grocery stores (46%), big box stores (39%), and liquor stores (28%). 

[READ MORE: St. Patrick’s Day spending to hit record $7.2B]

Looking at regional trends, St. Patrick’s Day shoppers in the Northeast U.S. are more likely to purchase beer (67% vs. 60%), those in the West are more likely to purchase Irish beer (56% vs. 46%), those in the Midwest are more likely to purchase spirits (49% vs. 44%), and those in the South are more likely to purchase champagne or sparkling wine (20% vs. 15%). 

The most popular ways to celebrate are decorating the house (31%), gathering with family/friends (31%), cooking or baking at home (30%), and going out for drinks (28%). 

Uniqlo is expanding its presence at shopping centers in Canada.

The Japanese apparel retailer will open four new locations in the coming months, with two stores in Ontario and two in Quebec. Following the openings, Uniqlo will operate 33 Canadian locations. 

The new Uniqlo locations opening in spring/summer 2025 include the following:

• Maple View Shopping Centre (Burlington, Ontario)
• Place Ste-Foy (Quebec City, Quebec)
• Galeries d'Anjou (Montreal, Quebec)
• Union Station (Toronto, Ontario)

"We are very grateful to our patrons in Canada and look forward to fostering more meaningful relationships with new customers,” said Yuya Tanahashi, chief operating officer of Uniqlo in Canada. “I am optimistic about our Canadian growth, and we look forward to bringing ‘LifeWear’ to new markets."

[READ MORE: First Look: GU, sister brand of Uniqlo, opens first U.S. store]

Uniqlo stores feature apparel for men, women, kids, and babies, seasonal collaborations and the UT (Uniqlo T-shirt) range of graphic T-shirts and other items. 

A brand of Japanese holding company Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., Uniqlo operates 2,500 stores worldwide. The chain operates 68 stores in the United States as of Nov. 30, 2024.

The Kroger Co. is adding to the duties of its CIO as it launches a new e-commerce unit to accelerate its online growth.

Kroger has named Yael Cosset, senior VP and CIO, to the additional role of executive VP and chief digital officer. With the expanded oversight, Cosset is now managing the grocer’s new e-commerce business unit, which is intended to align all the teams contributing to the online customer experience. 

Cosset will continue to lead technology and data for the company. As senior VP and CIO, he has overseen Kroger's recent technology transformation designed to better serve the needs of omnichannel shoppers.

[READ MORE: Kroger invests in digital enterprise transformation]

Cosset also leads Kroger's alternative profit portfolio of businesses, including the 84.51˚ data analytics subsidiary, Kroger Personal Finance financial services business, and Kroger Precision Marketing retail media business.

Prior to this, Cosset was group VP and chief digital officer, where he led the company's overall digital growth strategy and e-commerce expansion. He also previously served as chief commercial officer and CIO of 84.51° since its inception in 2015.

"Accelerating Kroger's e-commerce growth is a top priority," said Ron Sargent, Kroger chairman and CEO. "As the architect of Kroger's digital strategy, Yael will continue to make it easier for customers to shop for our fresh, affordable food."

Kroger's e-commerce sales reached $13 billion in 2024.

Based in Cincinnati, The Kroger Co. operates nearly 2,800 stores under a variety of banners that include Kroger, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith’s, King Soopers, Floors 4 Less, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer and others.