Acosta Group’s “Shopper Community” study, conducted in June 2025 with 1,074 U.S. shoppers , shows that 99% of consumers are aware of AI solutions and 70% actively use tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini for everyday shopping, comparing products, and saving money and time.
Despite widespread innovation, retailer-specific AI tools like Walmart’s Sparky and Amazon’s Rufus lag in adoption, with fewer than 15% of shoppers having used them. This gap highlights opportunities for better engagement
strategies and consumer education. Acosta Group’s Shopper Community includes over 40,000 demographically diverse, active buyers across the United States , offering reliable insights into evolving shopping behaviors.
The June 2025 survey specifically targeted 1,074 participants who had made at least one retail purchase during the prior three months, ensuring the findings reflect current market trends and consumer preferences.
Gen Z and Trust in AI The study finds Gen Z especially enthusiastic about generative AI, with 53% trusting these tools over traditional sources and demonstrating the fastest adoption patterns.
However, trust is nuanced—while 58% of respondents rely on AI to find deals and 50% trust it for product reviews, just 12% would let AI make purchases for them without approval. Major concerns remain about privacy ( 60% ), fraud ( 56% ), and loss of purchase control ( 56% )…