Microsoft has recently made a major move in the e-commerce sector, officially launching the Copilot platform with the Copilot Checkout feature and simultaneously introducing an AI solution specifically designed for merchants - "Brand Agents". This move aims to reshape the online shopping logic of consumers through generative AI technology.

image.png

The core of this new feature lies in the "one-stop" experience. In the past, users would often have to switch to external e-commerce websites after finding a desired product in an AI chat to complete the purchase. Now, with Copilot Checkout, users can complete the entire process from search, filtering to placing orders and payments directly within the conversation interface, significantly shortening the shopping path. Microsoft internal data shows that deep involvement of AI can significantly increase purchase conversion rates, with users' purchasing probability being 53% higher than traditional methods within 30 minutes after interaction.

To help merchants better retain customers, Microsoft's "brand agents" allow businesses to quickly build customized AI assistants within a few hours. These agents can not only answer product inquiries but also provide personalized recommendations based on user preferences, acting like personal shoppers to accompany users throughout the entire shopping journey. Currently, Copilot Checkout has been launched first in the United States and has partnered with mainstream payment platforms such as PayPal, Shopify, and Stripe. Microsoft plans to expand this experience to more entry points such as the Edge browser and Bing in the future, fully seizing the new market of "conversational shopping."

Key Points:

  • 🛒 Shopping without leaving the chat window: Copilot Checkout enables one-stop payment, allowing users to make purchases directly within the AI chat interface without switching web pages.

  • 🤖 Exclusive Shopping Assistant for Merchants: The newly introduced "brand agents" support merchants in quickly customizing AI assistants that offer personalized recommendations, significantly improving sales conversion rates.

  • 📈 Significant Increase in Conversion Rates: Data shows that the shopping path with AI involvement increases the likelihood of completing a purchase by 194%, greatly enhancing the efficiency of consumer decision-making.