Global Scans · Shopping · Weekly Summary

• [New] AI-Powered Commerce: Walmart's proprietary GenAI search allows customers to shop by intent (e.g., plan a 5-year-old's birthday party) rather than just keywords. FinancialContent
• [New] By 2026, billions of users will spend at least an hour per day interacting with digital content in spatial or immersive environments - fundamentally changing how people browse, learn and shop. Engine Creative
• [New] A new program for TikTok Shop merchants could significantly amplify their product offerings and simplify fees for selling on TikTok. JCK Online
• [New] There is a growing chance that a one-stop shop for investing in Musk businesses will be created. The Guardian
• [New] Six in 10 consumers already cite payment friction as a reason they might choose to shop elsewhere and by 2050, they expect seamless shopping to be the norm. Retail Week
• [New] Research from American Express shows that 29% of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed either plan to, or will consider using, AI assistants and tools when they shop in 2026, rising to 37% for younger consumers aged 18-34. Retail Technology Innovation Hub
• [New] TikTok Shop has reversed course on its plan to end seller-fulfilled shipping in the U.S., telling merchants that previously announced deadlines will no longer go into effect. Digiday
• [New] US spending on TikTok Shop gains as TikTok faces threat of ban. 6 Meridian
• With 87% of shoppers saying social media influences their buying decisions, the brands that win will not be the ones with the biggest ad budgets-they'll be the ones creating authentic Valentine's fashion UGC that resonates where consumers actually shop. Social Native
• TikTok Shop will reach $23.41 billion in US ecommerce sales in 2026, a 48% increase year-over-year. eMarketer
• Global social commerce sales are forecast to surpass $1 trillion by 2026, with platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping leading rapid adoption across age groups. EverHelp - Customer Service Company
• With six in ten of UK BPC buyers say browsing products in a shop is a fun / enjoyable way to spend their time, retailers that deliver personalization, entertainment and ease will receive both attention and loyalty in 2026 and beyond. Mintel
• Hybrid volumes surging across Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai, meaning more vehicles with dual powertrains and high-voltage battery systems will be arriving in shop bays over the next several years. Autobody News

Last updated: 02 March 2026