Numerator Launched AI Consumer Index

The new report reveals how artificial intelligence adoption is reshaping shopping habits across the United States.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Shopping — General

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a floating wire-mesh shopping basket filled with geometric retail shapes, representing AI-driven consumer shopping trends. — Numerator's new AI Consumer Index reports that nearly ten percent of U.S. households now utilize artificial intelligence to facilitate shopping tasks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust AI-powered shopping tools to handle your personal information and payment data securely?

Numerator has introduced its AI Consumer Index, tracking how artificial intelligence is currently influencing the habits of U.S. shoppers. The report indicates that nearly one in ten American households now use AI tools specifically for shopping tasks.

Why it matters

The index highlights a growing economic divide where AI-engaged households account for $37 billion in additional annual spending. As adoption grows, the data underscores a tension between utility and concerns over personal data and payment security.

The study analyzed AI attitudes across 170,000 consumers, finding that 48% of users worry about personal data collection and 41% cite payment security as a primary concern. Currently, one in five consumers ranks AI as a top priority or concern.

The players

Numerator

A market research firm based in Chicago that specializes in consumer insights and retail data analysis.

The details

The report identifies health and beauty, apparel, and electronics as the primary retail sectors facing near-term disruption from AI integration. While eCommerce and value retailers are positioned for rapid change, urban restaurant chains are also projected to see increased exposure to these new digital shopping behaviors.

July 2025 saw 12% of consumers rank AI as a top concern.
Survey data for the index was collected throughout July 2026.
Numerator launched the AI Consumer Index on October 14, 2026.

Culture Shift

The shift toward AI-assisted shopping reflects a broader societal movement toward automated decision-making in daily life. As consumers trade traditional browsing for algorithm-backed recommendations, they face the practical reality of prioritizing convenience over data privacy concerns.

Shoppers may notice more personalized AI-driven product recommendations across major online retail sites and apps. Readers should remain cautious about the security permissions granted to these AI tools, especially regarding personal financial data and saved payment methods.

The takeaway

Consumers should balance the efficiency of AI-powered shopping with a proactive approach to protecting their digital privacy. Regularly auditing which apps have access to your payment information is an essential step as these tools become more integrated into daily retail.