Merchants should optimize product descriptions for AI discovery, anticipate FAQs, and keep inventory and pricing accurate in real time across platforms, while leveraging Shopify tools that share catalog data with AI platforms and enable AI-assisted checkout via Agentic Storefronts.

Agentic shopping involves autonomous AI personal shoppers that research, compare, and even purchase products on customers’ behalf, potentially completing the entire journey without the customer leaving chat.

In practice, agents interpret intent, query retailer catalogs through APIs, curate real-time recommendations with current pricing and availability, refine results from feedback, and execute secure transactions.

AI-driven orders surged roughly fifteenfold in 2025, signaling growing traction across brands and retailers.

Brands like Keen Footwear and Pura Vida are already selling through Copilot Checkout, illustrating real-world adoption of agentic commerce.

Current implementations include Microsoft Copilot Checkout and Perplexity Instant Buy, with notable brands using Copilot Checkout and AI-driven orders increasing substantially in 2025.

Market potential is vast, with McKinsey projecting a global opportunity of $3 trillion to $5 trillion by 2030, underscoring the urgency for stores to optimize for AI agents.

The projections emphasize that AI agents could unlock trillions in global commerce by 2030, making product visibility to AI agents a strategic imperative for retailers.

McKinsey’s outlook signals a strong incentive for merchants to optimize product selection so AI agents can readily choose their products.

Stores retain customer relationships and post-purchase responsibilities when orders are placed through AI agents, enabling ongoing engagement and loyalty strategies.

Shoppers still connect with the seller as orders flow into the merchant’s Shopify admin, allowing continued email marketing, loyalty programs, and post-purchase engagement.

Publish clear policies, FAQs, returns, and shipping information, and ensure data shared with AI platforms aligns with customer consent and privacy expectations.