For many consumers (63%), online shopping is a pleasure, not a chore. Full automation, therefore, isn't the right goal. Instead of removing shoppers from the process, technology should build their…
US
Technology
eCommerce
simple
US Role of Tech in Online Shopping: 2026
"The future of online shopping won't be defined by who has the smartest AI, but by who leverages technology to create seamless, confident, and enjoyable customer experiences."
For many consumers (63%), online shopping is a pleasure, not a chore. Full automation, therefore, isn’t the right goal. Instead of removing shoppers from the process, technology should build their confidence and help them make informed decisions. The best tools facilitate discovery and choice by being helpful yet unobtrusive, proving their value through clarity, not complexity.
This distinction is crucial, as shoppers quickly notice when an experience falls short. Persistent friction in comparing products, evaluating items, managing returns, and accessing customer service remain the biggest barriers to better online shopping.
The solution isn’t to slow innovation, but to focus it. Consumers reward brands that use technology to reduce effort, minimize risk, and inspire confidence, not those that chase novelty for its own sake. The winners will be those who treat simplicity as innovation, deploying tools that address real consumer pain points, rather than pursuing abstract visions of what ecommerce could be.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
The foundational gaps that limit the impact of new shopping technologies
The role of technology in reinforcing shopper confidence and reassurance
The growing tension between innovation and simplicity in decision-making
The missed opportunity to compete on discovery and enjoyment
The challenge of supporting non-linear, fragmented shopping journeys
The future of online shopping won’t be defined by who has the smartest AI, but by who leverages technology to create seamless, confident, and enjoyable customer experiences.
Haley Ferrini, Research Analyst, US Reports
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for the role of tech in online shopping
Opportunities
Use technology to invite exploration, not rush decisions
Turn trust signals into a competitive advantage
Segment-smart experience design
THE MARKET
Consumers and the economic outlook
State laws may rein in dynamic pricing practices
Agentic commerce tests the boundaries of platform control
Purchases continue to blend across channels
Graph 1: products purchased in the last 12 months, by channel, 2026
Consumer comfort with AI raises the stakes for digital innovation
Graph 2: comfort using AI, 2025
THE CONSUMER
Get the fundamentals right before rolling out new tools
Bad digital experiences kill conversion faster than new tech can save it
Build consumer confidence, then use innovation to streamline the journey
Graph 3: factors that give consumers the confidence to make a purchase online, by age, 2026
Align technology investments to the friction points that matter most
Graph 4: parts of the online shopping process that could be improved, by age, 2026
Tailor improvements to location-driven needs
Graph 5: parts of the online shopping process that could be improved (select), by area lived, 2026
Be selective about when and how chat features are used
Invest in tech that builds shopper confidence
Reduce noise for older consumers and amplify fun for younger ones
Graph 6: consumer interest in online shopping tools, by age, 2026
Shopping tools should respond to distinct consumer realities
When shoppers doubt the platform, amplify people like them
Graph 7: major retailer attitudes (% any agree), overall vs those who want to see what other people like them are purchasing , 2026
Consumers want proof behind the praise
Use tech that simplifies decisions instead of complicating them
Make online shopping feel tailored
Personalize with purpose, not excess
Who wants the tech matters as much as the tech itself
Use smart assistants to support dads in gifting moments
Graph 8: interest in smart assistants that provide gift recommendations based on a friend or family member’s preferences, moms vs dads, 2026
Lean into what digital does better
Graph 9: online compared to in-store shopping attitudes (% any agree), by age, 2026
Compete on enjoyment and discovery, not just convenience
Online shopping is more than convenience
Graph 10: online shopping experience attitudes (% any agree), by age, 2026
Immersive retail only pays off when it earns its keep
Building a virtual store is often the wrong shortcut to what consumers actually want
Digital wins by capturing the best of in-store without the downsides
Graph 11: in-store shopping attitudes (% any agree), overall vs those who wish online shopping could replicate the experience of browsing in a physical store, 2026
Support fragmented shopping journeys
AI is becoming a discovery layer, not the point of sale
Design AI agents to support, not override, humans
Social platforms are replacing traditional purchase journeys for younger consumers
As social media pushes shopping in-feed, retailers must adapt their role
Tech features that ignore in-store use leave value on the table
Graph 12: in-store mobile activities, 2025
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Reviews matter more than ever
Ulta bets on AI to simplify beauty discovery
Agentic strategies diverge on control vs reach
Target turns gift uncertainty into guided decisions
Google bets on virtual try-on to fix fit concerns
Lowe’s makes big projects feel doable
APPENDIX
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Abbreviations
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