.png){kind=logo}
China's Singles Day sale has become a big test for AI in online shopping. Shoppers are using AI helpers, smart toys and AI credits in large numbers. But overall sales have barely grown. Between October 7 and October 31, they rose just 2.4%, according to Syntun.
AI has been integrated into the e-commerce app of Alibaba, JD.com, and PDD Holdings. AI on Alibaba's Tmall and Taobao can help to search for products, allow customers to try on clothes virtually and get deals. The helpers can also select products, apply coupons, process payments, and make arrangements for deliveries. Customers do not have to move between different apps.
Dongdong, the helper of JD.com, reportedly attracted around 80 million users during this year's sale, which is more than three times the figure of last year's.
Chatbots are also influencing customer choices. Chatbot links resulted in 5% of purchases on Douyin in October, according to WPIC Marketing + Technologies. The share was higher for items requiring research, including health supplements, at over 20%.
AI devices are also flying off the shelves. Alibaba reports that AI toys raked in over 100 million yuan (USD 15 million) within one year of being launched as their own product category. Sales of AI companion robots grew by nearly five times compared to one year ago in the second half of October.
The demand for AI computing credits is also on the rise. The credits allow users access to AI applications. According to Tmall, sales soared by over 700% in one month between October 15 and November 5 compared to the previous month. Top livestreamer Austin Li promoted AI products for the first time. He sold 100,000 monthly subscriptions to Alibaba's QwenWork in just 30 minutes.
Also Read: Amazon Brings Alexa Shopping to Text Messages With New AI Feature
The AI buzz has not yet lifted total spending. Still, the shift matters. If an AI helper does not suggest a brand, shoppers may buy from a rival instead. That puts pressure on every seller to show up in AI answers.
AI is fast becoming a key way for stores to reach buyers. Singles Day shows how quickly shoppers are getting used to it.