Stord Releases 2026 State of AI Report on E-Commerce Adoption

A major shift is taking shape in online retail, and Stord’s newly released 2026 State of AI in E-Commerce Report makes it hard to miss. The Atlanta-based commerce enablement company offers a detailed look at how artificial intelligence is moving from experimental tool to operational necessity across e-commerce.

The report’s strongest point is its framing of AI as a present-day force, not a future idea. It shows how AI is already changing the way consumers shop, how brands manage fulfillment, and how commerce infrastructure needs to adapt.

A Report Timed to a Transforming Market

Stord released the report on February 11, 2026, drawing on proprietary consumer research as well as broader enterprise data from firms including McKinsey and Gartner. It arrives as Stord ramps up its own AI efforts, following the launch of several AI-powered solutions earlier in the year and the rollout of new StordAI assistants such as Chat, Search, and Feed.

That timing matters. Stord is not observing these market changes from a distance. It is building around the same pain points highlighted in the report: fragmented data, poor inventory visibility, weak delivery transparency, and rising customer expectations.

The Big Finding: AI Adoption Is Accelerating Fast

The clearest takeaway is simple: AI adoption in e-commerce has moved well beyond the hype cycle.

According to the report, 51% of consumers used AI shopping tools in 2025, up from 38% in 2024. More importantly, many of those shoppers are now using AI regularly rather than occasionally. That points to a real behavioral shift, not just experimentation.

On the business side, adoption is even broader. 88% of businesses report using AI, up from 78%, and 92% say they are increasing investment. But the execution gap is hard to ignore: 99% still lack a strong deployment framework, and only 7% have scaled AI successfully.

That contrast says a lot about the market right now. Interest is high, spending is rising, and operational maturity still lags.

E-Commerce’s Real Problem Isn’t Just Discovery — It’s Delivery

One of the report’s most useful points is that AI can improve shopping experiences, but it cannot fix broken fulfillment by itself.

Stord’s leadership argues that modern consumer expectations are colliding with outdated systems. Delivery opacity remains a major conversion problem. The report and related company commentary highlight several persistent friction points:

• 70% cart abandonment, with delivery uncertainty playing a major role
• 58% of consumers want estimated delivery dates, while only 1% of brands provide them effectively
• 25% to 35% of customer support tickets relate to order issues
• 38.6% of retailers cancel roughly 1 in 10 orders due to inventory inaccuracies

These are not minor inefficiencies. They are structural barriers to growth.

This is where Stord’s perspective stands out. The company argues that brands can no longer treat AI as a thin layer placed on top of disconnected systems. If the backend is fragmented, even strong AI tools will struggle to produce a reliable customer experience.

From AI Optimization to “Agentic Commerce”

Another key idea in the report is the move toward agentic commerce. In practical terms, that means AI systems doing more than recommending products or generating content. They begin participating directly in the commerce journey, from discovery to reordering to returns.

That could include:

• AI-driven product recommendations that materially improve conversion
• Automated replenishment and reordering
• Smarter routing and inventory allocation
• Context-aware search and customer support
• Personalized post-purchase communication

The report suggests this could lead toward “zero-click” commerce, where AI increasingly handles product selection and purchasing actions for the shopper.

That may sound ambitious, but the building blocks already exist. If Stord’s data holds, 2026 could be the year these capabilities start moving from isolated pilots into scalable retail operations.

The Generational Divide Is Real

Not every shopper is moving at the same pace. The report highlights a sharp age-based adoption gap.

Gen Z shows much stronger engagement with AI shopping experiences, with adoption and conversion benefits notably higher than among older groups. By contrast, Boomers remain more skeptical, particularly around privacy and payment trust.

That matters for brands planning long-term growth. Younger consumers are shaping future commerce behavior, and their comfort with AI-enabled shopping will influence how retailers design customer journeys in the years ahead.

At the same time, privacy concerns cannot be ignored. If consumers see automation as intrusive or untrustworthy, adoption could slow. The likely winners in AI commerce will not just be the most technically advanced. They will be the companies that pair intelligence with transparency and reliability.

Why Stord Is Positioned to Matter

Stord enters this discussion with growing credibility. Founded in 2015, the company has built a vertically integrated platform spanning software, fulfillment, and logistics orchestration. It now powers around $10 billion in annual GMV, handles more than 50 million packages per year, and operates across 20+ fulfillment nodes in North America and Europe.

Its recent momentum adds to that relevance:

• A $200M+ funding round in 2025 at a $1.5B valuation
• Recognition on the Inc. 5000 for the fifth consecutive year
• Inclusion in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500
• Major investments in physical fulfillment expansion, including Kentucky and Dallas

What stands out most is that Stord is combining software intelligence with physical execution. That is exactly the mix the report says brands need. AI may shape demand, merchandising, and customer interaction, but fulfillment is still where promises are either kept or broken.

What the Report Means for Brands

The message for e-commerce operators is clear: the next competitive edge will not come from AI experimentation alone. It will come from operational integration.

Brands that can connect AI insights with real-time inventory, accurate delivery estimates, automated workflows, and scalable logistics stand to gain the most. The report says AI leaders are already seeing meaningful upside, including stronger revenue growth and higher customer lifetime value.

The flip side is just as important. Brands that keep layering AI onto fragmented systems may create the appearance of innovation without solving the customer experience problems underneath.

That is the real warning in this report. Commerce is getting smarter, but it also demands more accountability. Faster personalization means very little if an item ships late, gets canceled, or arrives without clear visibility.

FAQ

What is Stord’s 2026 State of AI in E-Commerce Report about?

The report examines how AI is being adopted by consumers and businesses in e-commerce, and where retailers are still falling short operationally.

What is the report’s biggest takeaway?

AI adoption is rising quickly, but most businesses still struggle to deploy and scale it effectively across real-world commerce operations.

What does “agentic commerce” mean?

It refers to AI taking a more active role in shopping and fulfillment processes, including recommendations, reordering, support, and post-purchase interactions.

Why does fulfillment matter so much in an AI-driven retail environment?

Because even the best AI experience breaks down if inventory is inaccurate, delivery timing is unclear, or orders are canceled or delayed.

Conclusion

Stord’s 2026 State of AI in E-Commerce Report captures a market at a genuine turning point. Consumer use is climbing, enterprise investment is accelerating, and agentic commerce is moving from concept toward implementation. But the report also makes one thing clear: AI only creates lasting value when it is tied to the operational backbone of commerce.

For anyone tracking where AI and digital commerce are headed next, platforms that sit close to both innovation and execution will be worth watching. For deeper coverage and ongoing insight into developments like these, AIuthority remains a useful resource to keep on your radar.