Radial, Inc., a leading 3PL set to become Paxon later this year, today announced the results of two distinct surveys of 1,000 consumers each that explore how consumers perceive, adopt, and trust agentic AI in commerce. The findings reveal a clear adoption gap where nearly six in 10 consumers (58%) say they are open to placing orders through an AI assistant, but only 6% have actually done so. The results show that the future of agentic commerce is promising, but its success will depend on trust, control, and consistent execution.

As AI-driven eCommerce sales are projected to surpass $144 billion by 2029, retailers are racing to integrate intelligent tools across the shopping journey. Yet Radial’s data shows consumers are not ready to hand over full autonomy. Instead, they are signaling that adoption will be gradual and earned based on how reliably brands execute across fulfillment, payments, and post-purchase experiences.

“AI may change how consumers shop, but fulfillment is what makes that promise real," said Tom Schmitt, CEO of Radial. "Retailers that invest in flexible, scalable fulfillment networks will be best positioned to support AI-driven commerce without compromising reliability."

AI Adoption Is Conditional but Control Is Non-Negotiable

When asked how much freedom consumers would give an AI agent, 34% say they would allow it to take actions only if they approve each one. Another 23% want AI to make suggestions only, and 21% do not want AI acting on their behalf at all.

This is particularly true when payment is involved. More than half (53%) of consumers require approval before any purchase goes through, and 41% require two-factor authentication for every transaction. The ability to review or cancel purchases without penalty is also essential for 39% of consumers. Roughly one in five consumers (19%) would never trust AI with payment information.

For retailers, this shows agentic commerce will need to function as a governed system where consumers retain control and brands maintain safeguards around sensitive transactions.

Consumers are looking for protection, too. Nearly half (46%) say they would only feel comfortable using AI with strong privacy protections, and 42% expect to have the option to speak with a human representative if issues arise.

Deal-Finding Is the Entry Point

Today, only 5% of consumers begin their shopping journey directly with AI tools, compared to 34% who start with search engines and 32% who do so with marketplaces. However, 47% say they would use AI to find the best price for a product, far outpacing other use cases like choosing a replacement when something is out of stock (12%).

These early applications demonstrate how AI can help consumers find the best prices or in-stock items for something they already know they want, rather than a purchasing proxy. This also shows retailers that AI adoption will initially reward operational readiness. AI agents need reliable brand information around price, availability and delivery to stay relevant as these tools become more embedded in the shopping journey.

Post-Purchase Is AI’s Promising Proving Ground

Consumers showed the strongest openness toward agentic commerce throughout the post-purchase experience. More than half (54%) of consumers are likely to use AI for monitored delivery and problem-solving. Another 36% are cautiously interested in AI assistants that work directly with stores or delivery systems to track orders and resolve issues.

Additionally, when asked what suggestions would be helpful from an AI assistant, 44% noted faster delivery options and 35% said return-friendly items. The results are clear: agentic commerce success is not just about the initial discovery or checkout stages, rather it is about the entire purchase journey, from click to delivery.

As AI agents influence more purchasing decisions, retailers must rethink the infrastructure behind every order journey. Fulfillment orchestration, delivery transparency, integrated payments, fraud protection, and post-purchase resolution will become critical to ensuring AI-driven orders are accurate, trustworthy, and profitable.

To read more about these survey findings and the impact of agentic commerce for retailers, visit radial.com/lp/agentic-commerce.

To learn more about Radial, visit radial.com.

Methodology

Two surveys were commissioned by Radial and conducted by Dynata, the world's largest first-party data company. They were conducted in December 2025 and January 2026 of 1,000 U.S. consumers 18 years and older for each survey.

About Radial

Radial, becoming Paxon, is North America’s largest 3PL fulfillment provider also offering integrated payment, fraud detection, and omnichannel solutions to modern and enterprise brands. The company is a division of Bnode, a digital expert in parcel size logistics, operating across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Leveraging over 40 years of industry expertise, Radial tailors its services and solutions to align strategically with each brand’s unique needs. Our team supports brands in tackling common eCommerce challenges, from scalable, flexible fulfillment enabling delivery consistency to ensuring secure transactions. With a commitment to fulfilling promises from click to delivery, Radial empowers brands to navigate the dynamic digital landscape with the confidence and capability to deliver a seamless, secure, and superior eCommerce experience.

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