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.

The Rise of Mobile Commerce: Why the Phone Dominates

Let’s state the obvious: your phone is with you all the time. That means it has a front-row seat to your habits, moods, and impulses—and that makes it the perfect gateway for intelligent commerce.

In 2025, mobile commerce isn’t just growing—it’s exploding. According to Studies, over 73% of e-commerce sales are projected to come from mobile devices this year. But this isn’t just about screen size. It’s about the unique context phones provide—location, time of day, usage patterns—all of which AI can use to tailor what you see.

Mobile-first design now means more than responsive layouts. It means building AI engines that thrive on mobile behaviors: tap speeds, scroll depth, voice input, and micro-intentions.

This is why Glance doesn’t wait for users to search. It delivers curated experiences to the lock screen itself, transforming “dead time” into discovery. That’s not mobile optimization. That’s mobile innovation.

The brands that win in this space aren’t the ones who shrink their desktop site. They’re the ones who rebuild commerce for the pocket-sized world. That’s Glance's entire philosophy.

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 to personalize your shopping experience directly on your smartphone—no app launch or search bar needed. It combines machine learning, real-time data, and user behavior insights to deliver relevant product suggestions, trend alerts, and deals right to your screen. With platforms like Glance, it goes one step further—AI shopping becomes ambient and proactive. Imagine getting a curated sneaker drop notification or limited-time skincare bundle before you even open your browser. That’s mobile AI shopping done right.

Is there an AI for shopping?

Absolutely—there are many AIs built specifically for shopping, and they’re quickly becoming integral to the online retail experience. AI for shopping can recommend products, personalize offers, forecast demand, and even simulate virtual try-ons. Platforms like Glance are at the cutting edge of this evolution—offering AI-powered, mobile-first shopping experiences right on the user’s lock screen. The difference? These aren’t just chatbots or basic product carousels. Glance delivers real-time, context-aware, emotionally intelligent commerce right when it matters most.

What are the benefits of using AI for shopping?

Where do we even start? AI transforms shopping from a chore into a conversation. It saves time, reduces decision fatigue, and surfaces options that actually fit your taste, size, budget, and values. Forget scrolling through 50 pages—AI does the filtering for you. With Glance’s AI shopping, the benefits are amplified: it’s mobile-first, personalized in real-time, and intelligently integrated into your daily habits—meaning more discovery and fewer abandoned carts.

How is Walmart using AI?

Walmart has been investing heavily in AI to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. From inventory management and dynamic pricing to smart search and voice commerce, AI is embedded across its supply chain and customer touchpoints. In 2025, Walmart is also piloting personalized mobile experiences, driven by real-time data and AI-powered insights. While they’re making strides, platforms like Glance are leapfrogging traditional retail with ambient commerce that meets the consumer before they even start searching.

Why is Amazon’s AI called Rufus?

Amazon introduced "Rufus" as an AI-powered shopping assistant aimed at helping customers make more informed decisions. Built on generative AI, Rufus can answer questions, compare products, and guide users through complex buying journeys. While it’s impressive, it’s still largely reactive—you ask, Rufus answers. By contrast, Glance’s AI is proactive, showing you what you need before you realize you’re looking for it—right on your mobile lock screen. It’s a completely different shopping paradigm.

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.