From Pymnts · PYMNTS · · 1m 30s
Visa: Small Merchants Can Speed AI Shopping Adoption
Small merchants may outpace large rivals in AI shopping by pivoting faster on product data and checkout.
In brief
Small merchants may outpace large rivals in AI shopping by pivoting faster on product data and checkout. SMBs can close the AI readiness gap by optimizing product data for agents, not just improving checkout. Originally reported by Pymnts.
Agent Readiness Gap
Small merchants trail large ones on agent readiness at 11% vs 19%, but can close the gap faster with AI.
“Small businesses have a distinct ability to pivot faster, to move faster.”
Product Data Needs
Merchants need precise product descriptions, inventory, prices, and payment options for AI agents to function.
AI Traffic Growth
68% of merchants expect AI agents to drive at least 5% of digital sales within two years, but only 15% have structured product data.
Checkout Focus
Merchants are prioritizing checkout, payments, and fraud controls over features like voice ordering or kiosks.
App Performance
57% of merchants saw app sales grow, with apps outperforming websites on 11 of 14 payment capabilities.
Fraud Challenges
60% of merchants want better fraud protection as AI transactions increase, requiring distinction between legitimate and automated activity.
Checkout Improvements
87% of merchants say their checkout needs improvement, but AI focus risks overshadowing basic customer experience fixes.
Data for AI
Product data helps merchants appear in AI searches, while transaction data shows AI-driven purchases and fraud patterns.
Sara Craven's View
Visa's general manager says SMBs can learn faster with AI and must optimize product data before checkout.
“Small businesses have a distinct ability to pivot faster, to move faster.”
Here's the gist
SMBs can close the AI readiness gap by optimizing product data for agents, not just improving checkout.
