The Rise of Agentic Commerce: Preparing for AI Buyers in 2026

The Inevitable Arrival of AI Shoppers

The holiday season of 2025 is winding down, and while we're analyzing the usual metrics – spending habits, return rates (Adobe's data shows a slight decrease in returns compared to last year), and popular product categories – a more profound shift is taking place beneath the surface. We're on the cusp of a new era: the age of the AI shopper.

It's no longer a question of if AI agents will be making purchases, but when and how. As CTOs and merchants, we need to prepare our infrastructure, security protocols, and customer engagement strategies for a world where a significant portion of our sales could come from autonomous AI entities.

This isn't science fiction; it's the logical next step in the evolution of ecommerce. AI is already deeply embedded in our operations, from supply chain optimization to personalized recommendations. Now, it's extending its reach to the customer side, acting as a buyer on behalf of consumers.

The Numbers Don't Lie: AI Bot Traffic is Exploding

The data paints a clear picture. Akamai Technologies' 2025 Digital Fraud and Abuse Report reveals a staggering 300% surge in AI-powered bot traffic over the past year. The commerce industry alone experienced over 25 billion AI bot requests in just a two-month period. These aren't just idle probes; they represent actual purchase intent.

Visa is taking note. They've partnered with Akamai to develop solutions for identifying and authenticating AI agents, ensuring secure transactions, and preventing fraud. This collaboration signals a critical recognition: agentic commerce is not a fringe phenomenon, but a mainstream trend that demands immediate attention.

Securing Your Storefront in the Age of AI Agents

The rise of AI buyers presents a unique set of security challenges. How do you differentiate between a legitimate AI agent and a malicious bot? How do you ensure that the agent is authorized to make purchases on behalf of its user? How do you prevent AI agents from being exploited for fraudulent activities?

These are the questions that keep CTOs up at night. The traditional methods of fraud detection, such as CAPTCHAs and IP address blocking, are often ineffective against sophisticated AI agents. We need to adopt a more nuanced and proactive approach.

Identity, Authentication, and Fraud Controls

The Visa-Akamai partnership highlights the importance of identity, authentication, and fraud controls. Merchants need to be able to:

• Identify a Legitimate AI Agent: Implement systems that can recognize and verify the identity of AI agents. This could involve using digital certificates, cryptographic signatures, or other advanced authentication methods.
• Link the Agent to the Underlying User: Ensure that the AI agent is acting on behalf of a real person and that the user has authorized the agent to make purchases.
• Enable Secure Payment Interactions: Protect payment information and prevent fraudulent transactions by using secure payment gateways and implementing multi-factor authentication.

Failing to address these security concerns could have dire consequences. Merchants risk losing control of personalization, security, and the consumer relationship. They could also face financial losses due to fraud and chargebacks. The cost of inaction is simply too high.

Building Trust in Agentic Commerce

Beyond security, building trust is paramount. Consumers need to feel confident that AI agents are acting in their best interests and that their data is being protected. Merchants need to be transparent about how they're using AI agents and how they're ensuring the security and privacy of their customers.

Transparency and Control

Transparency is key. Merchants should clearly disclose when an AI agent is interacting with a customer and explain how the agent is being used. Customers should also have the ability to control the actions of their AI agents and to opt out of agentic commerce altogether.

Consider implementing features that allow customers to:

• Review and Approve Purchases: Before an AI agent completes a purchase, allow the customer to review the details and approve the transaction.
• Set Spending Limits: Enable customers to set limits on how much their AI agents can spend.
• Define Preferences: Allow customers to specify their preferences and priorities, ensuring that their AI agents are making purchases that align with their needs and values.

By prioritizing transparency and control, merchants can build trust with their customers and foster the adoption of agentic commerce.

The Future is Now: Adapting Your Ecommerce Strategy

Agentic commerce is not a distant possibility; it's happening now. As we move into 2026, merchants need to adapt their ecommerce strategies to embrace this new reality.

Key Considerations for 2026

• Invest in AI Security: Prioritize the development and implementation of robust AI security measures. Partner with cybersecurity experts to assess your vulnerabilities and implement appropriate safeguards.
• Embrace Personalization: Leverage AI to personalize the shopping experience for both human and AI buyers. Understand their preferences, anticipate their needs, and provide tailored recommendations.
• Optimize for AI Agents: Ensure that your website and product listings are optimized for AI agents. Use clear and concise language, provide detailed product information, and make it easy for agents to find what they're looking for.
• Explore New Business Models: Consider new business models that leverage the power of agentic commerce. This could involve creating AI-powered shopping assistants, offering subscription services tailored to AI buyers, or developing new ways to monetize AI-driven transactions.

The rise of agentic commerce presents both challenges and opportunities. By embracing innovation, prioritizing security, and building trust, merchants can position themselves for success in the age of AI buyers. The future of ecommerce is here, and it's driven by intelligent machines.

While final numbers for the 2025 holiday season are still being compiled by firms like Adobe (they expect to release their full report in early January 2026), one thing is clear: the groundwork for AI-driven commerce has been laid. Ignoring this trend is no longer an option; it's time to adapt and thrive.

And while we're looking ahead, let's not forget the enduring power of traditional ecommerce. As eBay's 2025 collectibles report shows, there's still a strong demand for unique and nostalgic items. Balancing the cutting-edge with the classic will be key to success in the years to come.