Thanksgiving shopping has always been fast-paced, exciting, and filled with last-minute decisions. This year, something new is reshaping it – Generative AI (GenAI) is powering the shopping journey while humans add personalization and reassurance.
Imagine searching for a gift for a coworker who loves gadgets. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of pages, you ask a GenAI shopping assistant for ideas. In seconds, it suggests options that match your budget and taste. Then a store expert – online or in person – adds a few helpful tips and final suggestions. It feels efficient and thoughtful at the same time. That is the new Thanksgiving shopping revolution.
Why GenAI Is Everywhere This Season
Holiday shopping now includes a digital companion. Shoppers enjoy support that saves time and adds clarity during busy schedules.
Here are the top signals driving this shift:
- 33% of U.S. shoppers plan to use GenAI for holiday shopping in 2025, more than double compared to last year.
- AI-driven traffic to retail sites is expected to grow by more than 515% from 2024 to 2025.
- 66% of consumers say they used GenAI tools in the last 3 months to search or compare items.
- 79% plan to shop in-store and 78% online during Thanksgiving weekend, showing strong omnichannel behavior.
- Retail teams using GenAI see up to a 16% improvement in conversion rates depending on the category.
These insights show one clear trend: shoppers want convenience powered by technology, but they still value human advice.
What Makes This Revolution Truly Stand Out
GenAI is fast. Humans are intuitive. When both come together, holiday shopping becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Three things define this blended experience:
1. Smart discovery
GenAI helps narrow choices based on a shopper’s style, past purchases, and budget. It eliminates guesswork and reduces time spent browsing.
2. Human reassurance
Once a list of options appears, people still enjoy feedback from a real person – someone who understands emotions, occasions, and relationships. That warm interaction builds confidence.
3. Seamless online-to-store journey
This season, shoppers can get AI-based recommendations on a website, confirm choices in-app, and pick up items in-store within hours – all without repeating information.
It feels a bit like having a tech-powered personal shopper. And yes, it says a lot about where retail is heading.
How Retailers Can Make the Most of This Trend
For brands and leadership teams looking at this shift from a strategic lens, five steps stand out:
- Deploy GenAI gift recommendation engines for curated holiday shopping.
- Empower store associates and customer support with AI insights to personalize conversations.
- Synchronize online and offline channels, so shoppers don’t restart their journey at every step.
- Highlight transparency and trust, explaining how GenAI helps shoppers.
- Focus on value and experience, not just discounts – curated, helpful guidance matters.
These actions allow GenAI to enhance the shopping journey while keeping human service at the center.
A Look Ahead
Once Thanksgiving and Black Friday wrap up, the GenAI-plus-human model will continue to guide retail. Shoppers will expect fast answers and human warmth every time. Retailers who adopt this approach now will create long-lasting loyalty beyond the holiday rush.
Shoppers win too – fewer decisions to stress over, more confidence in final choices, and more time to enjoy the holiday spirit.
FAQs
1. How does GenAI help with Thanksgiving shopping?
It recommends gifts, compares prices, summarizes reviews, and tailors suggestions to preferences and budgets.
2. Does GenAI replace human customer support?
No. It enhances it. AI speeds up discovery, and humans provide emotional connection and clarity.
3. Is in-store shopping still relevant?
Yes. Most shoppers plan to mix online research with in-store buying for a seamless experience.
4. Can GenAI personalize gifts?
Yes. It suggests items based on personality, interests, occasion, and price range.
5. Why do brands invest in GenAI for retail?
It increases shopper satisfaction, strengthens loyalty, and improves sales conversions.
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