Trend Digital assistants become a distinct engagement channel, not a support utility
Summary
Capgemini recommends that retailers and consumer product firms treat digital assistants as a separate engagement channel. The report argues that assistants are evolving from support tools into full channels through which consumers interact with brands. Shoppers reach recommendations through conversation rather than by browsing alone, and trust is built through guidance. To compete, organizations should optimize their data for agent interactions and treat assistants as a loyalty surface. Encouraging routines, replenishment prompts, and subscription-friendly formats can secure recurring share where convenience drives behaviour.
Classification
Main topicAI & Computing
Region menusGlobal
Impactscope:global
Time horizon4-10 years (2026-07-26)
Published2026
Last updated2026-09-30 12:56 KST
Evidence 1
- What matters to today's consumer 2026: How AI is transforming value perception Capgemini Research Institute page=47;section=What should CPR organizations do differently? / Accelerate growth with intelligent engagement 2026 accessed 2026-07-26
Observed signals 7
- SignalAmazon reports 250M Rufus users, +140% monthly users, and 60% higher conversion
- SignalGoogle adds conversational AI Mode and agentic checkout to Search
- SignalMore Retail reports forecast accuracy rising from 24% to 76% with AI
- SignalP&G is credited with a 40% cut in development time from AI virtual testing
- SignalWalmart and Target open purchasing inside AI platforms
- SignalWalmart extends computer-vision checkout to 500 US stores
- SignalWalmart is said to have gained 15% in repeat purchases from voice ordering
Part of issues 2
- IssueAI-optimized baskets split across retailers and make real-time price parity mandatory1 trends · 0 signals
- IssueThe 2026 watch point: brands stop being discovered and start being chosen by AI2 trends · 2 signals
Relation types: constitutes · supports
Public id: fm-74da645ae59e
