Mobile-First AI Shopping: A 2025 Trend to Watch

Introduction: The Phone Is the Storefront

Think about how you shopped ten years ago. Now think about today. One thing’s certain—your phone has become your primary shopping assistant, whether you meant for that to happen or not.

You scroll, swipe, tap, and—bam—your cart’s full before you’ve even had coffee.

But here’s what’s wild: we’re just getting started. In 2025, the mobile AI shopping revolution is stepping into high gear. It’s not just about convenience anymore—it’s about anticipation, personalization, and predictive delight. We’re moving from apps you open to experiences that open for you.

Glance.com is leading this shift with AI built for the mobile-first world—where your lock screen isn’t just passive real estate, but a discovery engine.

So buckle in. Mobile AI shopping isn’t a “trend to watch.” It’s the trend to ride.

Why AI Is the Secret Sauce of Mobile Shopping

Here’s the thing: mobile shopping without AI is just… a smaller version of desktop shopping. It’s cramped. Clunky. Overwhelming.

Now toss AI into the mix? Suddenly, your phone becomes a personal shopper.

In 2025, AI isn't just recommended. It pre-empts. Based on your behavior, your past likes, what’s trending in your area, and even how you interact with content (how long you linger, how fast you scroll), the AI can surface products you didn’t know you wanted—but totally do.

At Glance, this is core to our product philosophy. Our AI models are trained to detect patterns not just in product preferences, but in mood, context, and micro-moments. So your Monday morning commute might show you productivity tools, while your Saturday night scrolls bring date-night fits or last-minute travel deals.

The magic happens when AI turns the overwhelming ocean of options into a tight, curated, context-aware feed. That’s how you win consumer attention in the age of digital fatigue.

Glance’s Lock Screen Advantage: Shopping Without the Search

Let’s be real: most people don’t want to go shopping. They want to find cool things. The search bar? That’s friction. The homepage of most apps? Noise.

Glance flips this script entirely. Imagine waking up, glancing at your phone, and seeing something you actually want—without opening an app, searching a store, or even knowing you were in the mood to shop.

That’s mobile AI shopping done right.

With lock screen integration, Glance eliminates the effort. Its predictive discovery is powered by behavior, location, and real-time trends. We’re not waiting for users to hunt. We’re dropping value right where their eyes land first thing in the morning.

This isn’t about throwing salesy banners at users. It’s about building serendipity into the scroll. When that discovery moment happens on a user’s lock screen, it feels like magic. Like the universe just gets you.

Spoiler: it’s not the universe. It’s Glance.

Context Is King: AI That Understands the Moment

Ever wondered why Amazon’s recommendations sometimes feel… off? Like, “I bought a kettle once, and now you think I want 200 kettles?”

That’s because traditional AI leans too heavily on purchase history and not enough on real-time context.

In the mobile-first world, context is everything. It’s the difference between “cool, thanks” and “ugh, not now.”

Glance’s AI models are built to understand:

• What time of day it is
• Where you are (hello, travel gear!)
• What kind of content you’re consuming
• What’s trending in your circles
• And even your recent behaviors

This means the AI doesn’t just recommend a product—it delivers a moment. You're on your way to the gym? Glance surfaces limited-edition sneakers. You're doom-scrolling post-breakup? Glance gently offers self-care essentials.

That’s what makes mobile AI shopping actually feel personal. It’s not the AI that knows what you want—it’s the AI that knows when you want it.

What the Numbers Say: Mobile AI Shopping Is Booming

We love a good gut instinct, but data doesn’t lie.

• Mobile Shopping: Global mobile sales hit $2.07T in 2024, accounting for 57% of e-commerce.
• AI Personalization: AI boosts revenue by 5-15% and marketing efficiency by 10-30%.
• Lock Screen Engagement: AI-driven lock screens triple user interaction.

All signs point to a perfect storm: more users are shopping on mobile, and they expect smart, tailored experiences.

If your brand isn’t showing up smartly on mobile in 2025, it might not show up at all.

That’s why Glance’s mobile-first, AI-native architecture is resonating—not just with users, but with retail partners and advertisers alike. It’s where commerce is going, and frankly, where most platforms haven’t caught up yet.

From Trends to Tactics: How Brands Can Ride the Mobile AI Wave

So what does this mean for your brand?

First: rethink the funnel. Mobile AI shopping isn’t linear. There’s no clear “discovery > research > checkout” anymore. With Glance, all three can happen in a single moment—on the lock screen.

Second: ditch the one-size-fits-all creatives. Start building dynamic product cards, tailored for mood, seasonality, and swipe patterns.

Third: collaborate with platforms like Glance to integrate AI signals into your campaign strategy. Want to reach sneakerheads during launch week? Glance knows when they’re really paying attention.

Lastly, and this one’s crucial: respect user attention. Push less. Predict more. That’s how Glance is winning trust.

Conclusion: This Isn’t a Trend. It’s a Turning Point.

Calling mobile AI shopping a “trend” is like calling the iPhone a “gadget.” This is a platform shift—a tectonic change in how people discover, evaluate, and buy.

In 2025, the smartest brands won’t just be mobile-friendly. They’ll be AI-native.

They’ll show up when it counts. Speak in the user’s language. Fit seamlessly into a world where attention is precious and expectations are sky-high.

That’s exactly what Glance is doing—and if you’re not watching us, you’re already behind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile AI Shopping

How does mobile AI shopping work?

Mobile AI shopping uses artificial intelligence technologies to create a personalized and predictive shopping experience directly on your smartphone. By analyzing data like browsing history, preferences, and real-time context, it acts like a personal shopper guiding you from product discovery to purchase. Machine learning and other AI tools help suggest relevant items, highlight deals, and make shopping faster, easier, and more interactive.

Is there an AI for shopping?

Yes there are many types of AI for shopping that help both consumers and retailers. These tools can offer personalized product recommendations, answer questions instantly, compare prices and guide users through a smoother shopping experience. By analyzing browsing history preferences and real-time data AI makes shopping more efficient, relevant and tailored to each customer. Platforms like Glance bring this AI shopping experience directly to your smartphone. 

What are the benefits of using AI for shopping?

AI improves shopping by offering personalized recommendations, smarter search, and faster support, making it easier for customers to find what they need. It also helps retailers with efficient inventory planning, targeted marketing, and better supply chain decisions, creating a smoother and more satisfying shopping experience for everyone.

How is Walmart using AI?

Walmart uses AI to streamline its supply chain improve inventory accuracy and deliver more personalized shopping. It applies machine learning for demand forecasting automates warehouse tasks and powers tools like conversational assistants and Text to Shop. These AI systems help Walmart offer faster smarter and more tailored customer experiences.

Why is Amazon’s AI called Rufus?

Amazon named its AI Rufus after a Welsh corgi who joined the company in 1996 and became one of its first office dogs. Rufus was a small part of early Amazon culture and often wandered through meetings and workspaces. The name was chosen to reflect a friendly, helpful spirit that Amazon wants its shopping assistant to represent.

Which retailers use AI?

By 2025, almost every major retailer—from Target and Nike to Sephora and Home Depot—is using AI in some form. AI helps with personalization, inventory forecasting, visual search, and chat-based support. However, the use of AI is where innovation really happens. Traditional retailers apply AI within their websites or apps. But pioneers like Glance embed AI directly into the mobile user journey, unlocking frictionless, context-aware shopping even when users aren’t actively browsing.