A Mall of America survey suggests that shoppers see AI as a way to compare prices and find promotions, while familiar sources still lead gift discovery.
AI is finding a place on the holiday shopping list, especially when there’s a price to check. In an online survey of 1,775 consumers ahead of the 2026 holiday season, Mall of America found that 45% expected to use AI for at least one shopping task. Comparing products or prices (22%) and finding deals or promotions (18%) were among the most common planned uses.
Gift ideas were a different matter. Half of respondents ranked friends and family first for inspiration, and 28% put browsing in stores first. Fewer than 1% gave AI tools the top spot. The results suggest that a shopper might ask a friend what to buy, then use AI to see where it costs less.
That distinction matters in a season when more respondents are looking for savings. Some 61% said they would seek out more deals, promotions or rewards, up from 53% in the mall’s 2025 survey. And 68% expected to do most of their shopping through a mix of online and in-person channels.
The store visit also has a social side. Asked what made an in-person trip appealing beyond shopping, 26% ranked dining or seasonal food and drink first. Holiday décor and atmosphere followed at 25%, with time spent with friends or family at 21%. Those are reasons to make a trip even when the price comparison can happen at home.
