CI&T Releases "Retail Tech Reality Check" Report Highlighting AI's Growing Role in Consumer Shopping
MWN-AI** Summary
CI&T, a leading global technology transformation specialist, has unveiled its new report titled "Retail Tech Reality Check," which explores the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on consumer shopping behaviors. With retail evolving rapidly, the report identifies several key shifts driven by AI advancements, heightened price sensitivity, and enhanced social commerce experiences.
A primary finding of the report reveals that 58% of consumers believe retailers should leverage AI to enhance the shopping experience. Interestingly, nearly 75% of shoppers use AI tools at least occasionally while making purchasing decisions. In a notable shift, the report notes that the percentage of consumers starting their shopping journey on search engines (26%) is nearly equal to those beginning on marketplaces (29%), illustrating the "AI effect." This newfound confidence in conducting research is encouraging customers to expand their search for the best products.
The report also highlights a significant interest in "agentic AI," with 64% of respondents intrigued by technology that can autonomously order products based on past purchases and user-defined criteria. However, the economic climate remains a concern, as 71% of consumers report feeling that prices have risen over the past year, with 65% anticipating further increases.
Melissa Minkow, Global Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T, emphasized that while consumers may not yet consistently use AI for shopping, its accessibility is definitely influencing their purchasing habits. Retailers must now focus on optimizing search, ensuring transparency, and implementing dynamic pricing strategies to engage this growing segment of informed consumers.
The insights in this report stem from a survey of 1,040 U.S. consumers conducted in August 2025, offering a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of retail influenced by AI.
MWN-AI** Analysis
CI&T's recent report, "Retail Tech Reality Check," reveals important insights into how AI is reshaping consumer shopping behaviors. As financial analysts, it's crucial to understand these shifts, as they present both opportunities and challenges for retailers and investors alike.
Key findings indicate a significant transition in shopping habits, with 58% of consumers advocating for AI's role in enhancing the shopping experience. The growing openness to AI tools, particularly agentic AI—where digital assistants can autonomously make purchases based on consumer preferences—suggests a readiness to embrace sophisticated solutions in retail.
Notably, the shopping journey is evolving; nearly equal percentages of consumers now initiate purchases through marketplaces and search engines—29% and 26%, respectively. This shift underscores the necessity for retailers to prioritize search engine optimization and enhance visibility across platforms. The shift from traditional to digital channels, compounded by heightened price sensitivity (71% reporting price increases), emphasizes the urgency for retailers to adopt dynamic pricing strategies while maintaining transparency and fairness.
For investors in the retail and technology sectors, this means focusing on companies that innovate in AI capabilities and consumer engagement strategies. Firms that effectively use AI to personalize customer experiences and streamline purchasing processes will likely gain a competitive edge.
Moreover, the report highlights a cautionary note—while consumers are increasingly utilizing AI, there remains apprehension about biased recommendations. Retailers must address these concerns to build consumer trust and loyalty.
In summary, the intersection of AI technology and retail consumer behavior represents a complex but promising landscape. Companies that leverage data-driven insights, prioritize transparency, and adapt to consumer preferences will be well-positioned for growth. For investors, monitoring technological advancements and consumer sentiment will be vital in making informed decisions in this evolving market.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
CI&T (NYSE: CINT), a global technology transformation specialist, today announced the release of its new report, Retail Tech Reality Check , which examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the way consumers shop. From where journeys begin to how people pay, what channels they trust, and the prices they expect, retail is undergoing a significant transformation.
The report highlights how people are adjusting their shopping behaviors in response to the rising accessibility of AI, increased price sensitivity, and more seamless social commerce experiences. Key findings from the report show that shoppers are returning to search engines to begin their path to purchase, increasingly open to using agentic AI for routine buys, yet remain cautious about biased recommendations. For retailers, this requires optimizing for search, building trust through transparency, and adopting dynamic pricing strategies that safeguard fairness and maintain credibility.
Key findings include:
- 58% of consumers think retailers should use AI to improve the shopping experience. Furthermore, nearly three-quarters of consumers are using AI tools, at least occasionally, in their path to purchase
- The “AI effect”: the amount of consumers saying their shopping journey begins on a marketplace (29%) versus a search engine (26%) is just about equal now (compared to CI&T’s research in 2021 that found marketplaces were twice as likely to be the first stop). This drastic change is likely due to the impact of AI - consumers are now widening their shopping search as they feel more confident in their ability to conduct the research required to find the best product
- 64% of respondents were interested in agentic AI after reading our definition (Agentic AI would mean that a digital assistant could order products for you in a category you choose based on your past purchase history as well as criteria you have set for it)
- 71% of consumers feel prices have gone up compared to a year ago, and 65% of consumers expect prices to go up further
“It’s clear that although the average consumer isn’t consistently using AI just yet to shop, there’s an undeniable impact on purchase behaviors now that it’s so accessible. With research as the first phase of the path to purchase, consumers trust in their abilities to find exactly what they’re looking for, at the price they desire. We are entering an era where retailers’ focus must be on leveraging technology to protect margins *while* accommodating such a sophisticated shopper,” said Melissa Minkow, Global Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T.
The report is based on a survey fielded in August of 2025 of 1,040 U.S. consumers, roughly proportionate to the population.
View and access the full report here .
About CI&T
CI&T (NYSE:CINT) is a global technology transformation specialist for 100+ large enterprises and fast growth clients. CI&T brings a 30-year track record of helping clients navigate change to deliver accelerated business impact, with deep expertise across AI, strategy, customer experience, software development, cloud services, data and more. CI&T’s proprietary AI platform, CI&T FLOW boosts team productivity, ensuring fast, efficient, and scalable delivery of world-class solutions. CI&T operates globally, supported by over 7,600 professionals across 10 countries.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250930076871/en/
Media Relations:
Stephanie Wheeler
Illume PR for CI&T
ciandt@illumepr.com
FAQ**
How does CI&T Inc Class A CINT plan to leverage the findings from the "Retail Tech Reality Check" report to enhance its technological solutions for clients in the retail sector?
Given that 58% of consumers believe retailers should use AI to improve their shopping experience, how is CI&T Inc Class A CINT positioned to support these retailers in implementing AI-driven strategies?
With 71% of consumers expecting price increases, how can CI&T Inc Class A CINT assist retailers in adopting dynamic pricing strategies that maintain credibility while optimizing for margins?
As consumer trust in AI tools grows, what initiatives is CI&T Inc Class A CINT pursuing to build transparency and trust in AI implementations for its retail clients?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about CI&T Inc Class A (NYSE: CINT).
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