Gartner vs Mordor Intelligence

Holiday Shoppers Use AI for Deals, Keep Autonomy

A Gartner survey reveals that one-third of consumers are willing to use generative AI for holiday gift recommendations, but only 13% currently do so for inspiration. Shoppers use AI for price comparisons and narrowing down choices, yet they resist letting AI finalize purchases, valuing personal autonomy in gifting. William Blair data shows 88% used an AI tool in the past six months, with 80% using it at least occasionally pre-purchase. Trust concerns, especially regarding data security, hinder broader adoption of agentic commerce. Big retailers like Walmart are investing in agentic AI, but widespread finalization by AI remains distant. The FTC has also ordered Walmart and Target to provide info on personalized pricing.

• One-third of consumers are very or extremely willing to use generative-AI tools for holiday gift recommendations.
• Only 13% of shoppers currently use AI tools to inspire holiday shopping.
• William Blair survey: 88% of respondents used an AI tool in the past six months.

Gartner Survey Finds Two New AI-Related Risks Emerge in Third-Quarter 2026 Report

Gartner Survey Finds Two New AI-Related Risks Emerge in Third-Quarter 2026 Report Audit and Risk

Adobe: AI-generated Traffic Boosts Retail Revenue per Visit

Adobe Analytics reveals that AI-referred traffic (e.g., from ChatGPT, Gemini) to US retail sites is increasingly valuable. In September 2026, such visits generated 83% higher revenue per visit, with a 90% higher conversion rate, 73% longer time on site, 25% more page views, and 53% more cart additions compared to other channels. AI traffic surged 71% year-over-year and 1,772% since October 2024. Adobe's Citation Readability Score, which measures how easily AI can cite website content, rated the average US retail homepage at only 63%, indicating over a third of content is hard for AI to understand. Electronics pages scored higher (79%), while promotional homepages lagged. The findings underscore the growing importance of AI visibility for e-commerce, despite limited consumer acceptance of autonomous purchases.

• AI-referred traffic to US retail sites generated 83% higher revenue per visit and 90% higher conversion rates in September 2026.
• AI-referred visitors spent 73% more time on site, viewed 25% more pages, and added 53% more items to cart.
• AI traffic to US retail sites grew 71% year-over-year in September 2026, and 1,772% since October 2024.

Fashion Retail Market to Reach $3.76T by 2031, Says Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence forecasts the global fashion retail market to grow from USD 2.98 trillion in 2026 to USD 3.76 trillion by 2031, a CAGR of 4.77%. Growth is driven by younger consumers in emerging economies, urban expansion, and the shift to omnichannel and digital commerce. Retailers are focusing on operational efficiency, inventory visibility, and margin protection through strategic consolidation. Asia-Pacific leads with a 5.16% CAGR, holding 37.46% of 2025 revenue, with India as a key growth market. The report segments the market by product, price, distribution channel, and geography, highlighting the importance of omnichannel execution and fulfillment efficiency. Competitive landscape includes major players like Inditex, H&M, Nike, Adidas, and Fast Retailing.

• Global fashion retail market projected to grow from USD 2.98 trillion in 2026 to USD 3.76 trillion by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.77%.
• Asia-Pacific led regional growth with a CAGR of 5.16% and accounted for 37.46% of revenue in 2025.
• India is highlighted as a high-growth apparel economy within Asia-Pacific.