If you thought you’d had just about enough of the AI chatter, well, it’s only just beginning.

According to the State of E-Commerce report by Shopify and search and product discovery platform Constructor, about 64% of consumers have used some form of generative AI in their everyday lives. The figure marks a significant increase from last year (51%).

The study—which included responses from 1,500 consumers across the US, UK, and Germany—also found that nearly 6 in 10 shoppers are either “very or somewhat comfortable” using GenAI on a retailer’s website.

Not only that, but consumers in some areas are more reliant on AI than, well, people. For instance, nearly 1 in 5 shoppers said that they trust AI over partners when it comes to picking gifts, while 26% of those surveyed said that “an algorithm that’s seen their browsing and purchase history is likely to get their taste right.”

“There are definitely a lot of especially younger generations that do trust AI quite a bit to make those sorts of decisions, because they are viewed as impartial in some way, and they’re not necessarily trying to sell something,” Nate Roy, strategic director of e-commerce innovation at Constructor, told Retail Brew, adding that the tech allows retailers to use customized agents on their site to deliver a similar experience.

While that might be true, data indicates that many retailers aren’t quite providing that personalized level of shopping experience just yet.

Keep reading here.—JS

The US Department of Transportation last month announced new restrictions on non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and driver’s licences.

A potential loss of freight capacity could raise shipping costs for customers such as retailers if enforced—but that’s a big if, according to Mike Hosted, VP of sales and marketing at ATBS, a business services firm serving trucking companies.

Hosted said he’s met with major trucking companies and has so far heard very little buzz about the potential impact of this rule.

Keep reading here.—AV

Protein was once something that only athletes and gym aficionados paid much attention to. But in 2025, tracking protein intake feels like something just about everyone is doing, and in many cases actively looking to increase—to the extent that it’s driving a cottage-cheese resurgence.

As interest in protein consumption, especially among diet-conscious Gen Zers and millennials, continues to grow, marketers behind protein-packed products are amping up their efforts to win over those consumers. As they do so, there’s a perception that just about every brand is trying to woo consumers with protein however they can, whether that’s adding frozen cod to their offerings or adjusting promotion efforts to appeal to the GLP-1 audience who may be focused on high protein in small serving sizes.

Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.—KM

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• Supply Chain, Sr. Associate at Innova Solutions (in person)
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