This new report tracks AI shopping adoption, platform discovery, and category-level behavior for retail and e-commerce leaders.
PITTSBURGH, OCT 15, 2026 — CivicScience today launched the Agentic Retail Report, an ongoing benchmark tracking how AI is changing the way Americans research and shop. The Q3 2026 edition shows AI shopping adoption at 37%, climbing for an eighth consecutive month, with 61% of AI shoppers researching on a platform and then buying elsewhere.
AI platforms are inserting themselves into the retail funnel whether retailers invite them in or not. ChatGPT and Gemini are now the primary product-research destinations for AI shoppers, at 48% and 21%, respectively, and grocery (32%) and electronics (32%) lead all categories for AI-assisted shopping. Retailers are being asked to make real budget and product decisions about this shift without reliable third-party data on how it’s actually unfolding.
The Agentic Retail Report is built on real, opt-in U.S. adults surveyed continuously through CivicScience’s always-on polling platform, not AI-simulated personas or a one-time paid panel. That distinction matters most for a topic like agentic shopping, where behavior is changing quickly enough that synthetic research modeled on past patterns is least reliable exactly where it’s needed most.
“The rapid pace of adoption, rate of change, and implications of agentic retail are unlike anything we’ve seen since the advent of the internet itself. Retailers and platforms need to be tracking these consumer factors nonstop, across every dimension, or risk being left behind,” said CivicScience Founder and CEO John Dick.
The Agentic Retail Report data is always on. These are the headline numbers from the Q3 2026 edition; the full report, with category-level breakdowns and methodology, will be available during the October 28th Webinar.
Ready to see more? Join CivicScience Founder and CEO John Dick and Unser Advisory Group Founder Don Unser for a live webinar on Wednesday, October 28, at 12 pm Eastern to explore the first quarterly edition of the Agentic Retail Report and learn how you can access the full report. Click the button below to register.
About CivicScience
CivicScience is an advertising and analytics platform built on the world’s largest database of real-time consumer sentiment and declared intent.
Powered by revolutionary, AI-enabled survey technology engaging millions of U.S. respondents every week, CivicScience enables leading brands to activate and measure high-performing advertising across a private marketplace of premium digital, online video, and connected TV.
CivicScience’s advertising partners can reach custom audiences of over 150 million consumer profiles in brand-safe environments, achieving superior marketing outcomes and deep strategic insights.
CivicScience’s media partners earn incremental revenue, increase user engagement, and gather unique first-party data to support ad sales and editorial.
CivicScience’s survey respondents enjoy more personalized content experiences and a convenient way to influence culture and commerce.
CivicScience: Real Voices. Superior Advertising. Thriving Media. Responsible AI.
Media contact: Andrew Gallant | ([email protected])
