JD Sports Takes a Giant Leap into Artificial Intelligence Shopping
In a bold move, UK-listed retail giant JD Sports Fashion is pushing the boundaries of consumer shopping with its latest innovation: AI-powered e-commerce. The company has announced that it will be allowing US customers to browse and purchase sports footwear, apparel, and accessories directly through AI platforms like Microsoft Copilot, Google's Gemini, and ChatGPT.
The new initiative, set to launch in the coming weeks, marks a significant shift for JD Sports, which is now treating generative AI tools as a fully-fledged sales channel rather than a marketing add-on. This move is part of the company's broader strategy to modernize its digital infrastructure and focus on what it does best: providing excellent shopping experiences.
According to Regis Schultz, JD's affable group CEO, the logic behind this decision is straightforward: "We want to reach customers wherever shopping decisions are happening and make it easy for them to complete a purchase." The timing couldn't be better, as research suggests that 60% of US consumers already use AI in their shopping journeys.
The system, developed jointly by Commercetools and Stripe, connects large language models directly to JD's product information, pricing, and inventory systems. This enables US shoppers to treat AI platforms as a one-stop shop, moving from discovery to purchase in a single conversational flow. The initiative aims to reduce friction in the shopping process, which could boost conversion rates.
Schultz believes that this new approach is a natural extension of current shopping behavior, where consumers increasingly rely on AI-powered tools like chatbots to find products and complete purchases. He also stresses that users genuinely prefer the conversational tone of chatbots over traditional online shopping experiences.
Industry data suggests that JD's timing may be well-judged, as research by Adobe Express found that 60% of US consumers surveyed used AI in their shopping journeys. The company is now poised to integrate itself directly into this ecosystem, setting a new standard for agentic commerce in the retail industry.
With this move, JD Sports is building on its digital-first strategy, which aims to drive long-term growth through investment in infrastructure and digital capabilities. As the company looks to expand into new markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and South America, this initiative will be crucial in setting it apart from competitors.
In a bold move, UK-listed retail giant JD Sports Fashion is pushing the boundaries of consumer shopping with its latest innovation: AI-powered e-commerce. The company has announced that it will be allowing US customers to browse and purchase sports footwear, apparel, and accessories directly through AI platforms like Microsoft Copilot, Google's Gemini, and ChatGPT.
The new initiative, set to launch in the coming weeks, marks a significant shift for JD Sports, which is now treating generative AI tools as a fully-fledged sales channel rather than a marketing add-on. This move is part of the company's broader strategy to modernize its digital infrastructure and focus on what it does best: providing excellent shopping experiences.
According to Regis Schultz, JD's affable group CEO, the logic behind this decision is straightforward: "We want to reach customers wherever shopping decisions are happening and make it easy for them to complete a purchase." The timing couldn't be better, as research suggests that 60% of US consumers already use AI in their shopping journeys.
The system, developed jointly by Commercetools and Stripe, connects large language models directly to JD's product information, pricing, and inventory systems. This enables US shoppers to treat AI platforms as a one-stop shop, moving from discovery to purchase in a single conversational flow. The initiative aims to reduce friction in the shopping process, which could boost conversion rates.
Schultz believes that this new approach is a natural extension of current shopping behavior, where consumers increasingly rely on AI-powered tools like chatbots to find products and complete purchases. He also stresses that users genuinely prefer the conversational tone of chatbots over traditional online shopping experiences.
Industry data suggests that JD's timing may be well-judged, as research by Adobe Express found that 60% of US consumers surveyed used AI in their shopping journeys. The company is now poised to integrate itself directly into this ecosystem, setting a new standard for agentic commerce in the retail industry.
With this move, JD Sports is building on its digital-first strategy, which aims to drive long-term growth through investment in infrastructure and digital capabilities. As the company looks to expand into new markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and South America, this initiative will be crucial in setting it apart from competitors.