October 14, 2025
The UK’s New Shopping Habit Is Artificially Intelligent
Once seen as a novelty, artificial intelligence has insidiously found its way into the everyday shopping routine of millions of Britons. And rightfully so, as its advanced features make the journey easier than ever before. It now compares prices, suggests outfits, and even helps track deliveries — tasks that used to require time and effort.
According to Klaviyo’s latest AI Shopping Index, 80% of UK consumers have already used AI tools to browse, research, or buy products online.
It’s easy to get used to the good things, and 70% of UK shoppers would certainly agree. They expect AI shopping assistants to be a standard part of the online experience by 2026, which is ahead of the global average of 65%. And with this year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, more than half plan to let AI help them find deals or manage purchases.
The Digital Deal Hunter
Britons are turning to AI for the same reasons they once turned to comparison sites: it saves money and time. Thirty percent of shoppers say their top reason for using AI assistants is to secure the best prices, followed by saving time (18%) and getting tailored recommendations (16%).
However, consumers’ expectations are growing, and now almost 50% want AI to help them compare products across sites, 40% hope it can keep them within budget, and a third want it to curate full looks or bundles.
Whatever shiny new features AI may bring, consumers still care about one thing—saving money. By 2030, 37% of shoppers say they want the technology to help them spend less across every purchase.
From Search Bar to Checkout in One Chat
Chat-based storefronts are gaining traction, particularly in the US, which enable customers to find, learn more about, and buy products within a single conversation. As a result, the shopping journey becomes shorter, leaving brands less space (and time) to make it as smooth as possible.
This evolution carries both promise and pressure. Klaviyo’s research found that 74% of UK consumers have walked away from a purchase because they couldn’t get immediate answers to product questions. Speed and relevance now matter just as much as price, and of course, the available payment options.
Beyond the Sale
Since AI is doing such an excellent job providing recommendations, 89% of UK shoppers think it’s time for it to manage their order updates, track deliveries, and adjust shipping details. The sky is the limit, right?
Many shoppers would also trust AI to handle more delicate tasks like personalised reorders, a level of comfort that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
It’s no longer about experimenting with chatbots or gimmicky product quizzes. AI shopping assistants have become part of how people shop, and soon, part of what they expect.
