Britain’s festive procuring habits are present process a technological transformation, with new analysis exhibiting that greater than seven in ten shoppers will use generative AI to assist select Christmas presents this 12 months.
The sharp rise—from simply 31 per cent in 2024 to 71 per cent in 2025—highlights how rapidly AI is being woven into on a regular basis retail choices, from reward inspiration to finances administration.
The findings come from Consumers Say Sure to GenAI This Vacation Season, a survey of 6,000 shoppers throughout the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand by AI search and personalisation firm Coveo. Removed from treating AI as a brief reduce, respondents mentioned they count on instruments to check merchandise, counsel budget-friendly choices and advocate personalised presents. For a lot of, AI is quick turning into a sensible ally in managing each price pressures and the complexity of festive procuring.
The research additionally displays the broader pressures going through UK households. Some 85 per cent of British shoppers mentioned they had been already feeling the seasonal pressure amid the continued cost-of-living squeeze. But most intend to take care of or improve their spending in contrast with final 12 months, with three-quarters planning to offer extra or spend at the least the identical in 2025. Encouragingly for bodily retail, 55 per cent of consumers mentioned they nonetheless plan to go to the excessive road for at the least a part of their Christmas procuring.
Adoption of AI-led procuring is strongest amongst youthful generations, with practically 9 in ten Gen Z and Millennials planning to make use of the know-how, although greater than half of Child Boomers are additionally open to making an attempt it. For retailers, Coveo’s findings ship a transparent sign: shoppers should not solely prepared for generative AI procuring instruments, they’re actively searching for them out. Those that fail to embrace the know-how danger lacking a serious alternative to ease shopper stress, construct loyalty and increase vacation gross sales.
