AI traffic to U.S. retail sites set to rise 130% this holiday season

Adobe forecasts that AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail websites will increase 130% year over year during the upcoming holiday season Shoppers who use AI assistants generate 43% more revenue per visit than those who do not

More than three‑quarters of AI‑assisted shoppers say they feel more confident in their purchases. Over two‑thirds report they are less likely to return an item bought with an AI assistant’s help. AI‑referred visitors add items to their carts at a 32% higher rate than shoppers arriving through other channels.

“It also behaves as a discovery channel through AI search and a referral channel through the AI chatbots themselves,” Rebecca Wettemann said.

Eighteen months earlier Adobe’s research showed non‑AI traffic generated 128% more revenue per visit than AI‑referred visits. The projection comes from Adobe’s annual online shopping forecast, released Monday.

What we know

• Adobe expects AI traffic to U.S. retail sites this holiday season to more than double, up 130% year over year, according to Adobe’s annual online shopping forecast released Monday

• Consumers using AI engage with brands’ offers at a higher rate than non-AI traffic and 43% generate more revenue per visit, Adobe found in a complementary survey of 5,000 U.S. consumers

• More than three-quarters of shoppers using AI assistants reported feeling more confident in their purchases, Adobe found

• Over two-thirds said they are less likely to return an item they bought with an AI assistant’s help

• Consumers arriving at sites because of AI assistance added items to their carts at a 32% higher rate than those not referred by AI, Adobe found