From Pymnts · PYMNTS · · 1m 50s
AI reshapes how Brazilians discover and buy products
Brazilian shoppers now use AI tools in over half their purchases, but most merchants can't be found by these systems yet.
In brief
Brazilian shoppers now use AI tools in over half their purchases, but most merchants can't be found by these systems yet. Brazilian consumers are ready to use AI for shopping research, but merchants risk invisibility if they don't structure their product data for AI agents to read. Originally reported by Pymnts.
Digital shopping is daily behavior
Brazilian consumers average 67 digital shopping days per month, counting separate activities across devices. One person can record several digital shopping moments on the same day.
“Digital shopping in Brazil is no longer a channel; it's a daily behavior.”
Payment choice drives merchant selection
65% of Brazilian shoppers say knowing their preferred payment method is accepted influences where they shop. Credit, debit, contactless cards and Pix all need to coexist.
Phones now part of store visits
57% of Brazilian shoppers used a mobile device during their latest in-store purchase. They compare prices, read reviews and check payment options while standing in front of merchandise.
“The phone is now part of the in-store experience.”
AI already in half of purchases
More than half of Brazilian online shoppers used AI during their most recent purchase journey. They're using ChatGPT and Google Gemini alongside conventional search to compare and evaluate.
AI becomes a shopping front door
Consumers increasingly start their shopping with AI answers rather than visiting stores or websites directly. AI serves as the entry point that motivates transactions.
“More and more, [there] will be an AI answer.”
Most merchants invisible to AI
Only 15% of Brazilian merchants have structured product data that AI tools can read. Just 21% can identify when a sale originated from an AI platform.
“If an AI cannot read a merchant product catalog, the price, the availability data, that merchant risks becoming invisible.”
Consumers want AI help, not control
61% of consumers would let AI agents search and compare products, but only 11% would grant full access. Shoppers draw a clear line when money and payment credentials are involved.
“The consumers are ready to delegate efforts. But they still want clear boundaries when money and payment credentials are involved.”
Payment authorization stays human
Brazilian shoppers want approval requirements, spending limits, transparency and reversal ability. AI can narrow choices and remove shopping chores, but authorization remains a separate question.
At a glance
Brazilian consumers are ready to use AI for shopping research, but merchants risk invisibility if they don't structure their product data for AI agents to read.
