Consumers are already shopping for Back-to-School—and increasingly turning to AI to help them find the best value.
During Minty's recent webinar, Back-to-School AI Unleashed, our team explored findings from two national shopper studies that reveal how consumer shopping behaviors are evolving and what brands need to understand heading into one of retail's most important shopping seasons.
The discussion focused on two major shifts: consumers are starting their Back-to-School shopping earlier than ever, and AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the shopping journey.
Back-to-School Shopping Is Already Underway
One of the most surprising findings discussed during the webinar was how early consumers are beginning their Back-to-School shopping.
According to Minty's latest research, four in ten consumers are already shopping for Back-to-School, and nearly two-thirds expect to begin shopping before July. What was once a seasonal shopping rush has evolved into a much longer planning and purchasing cycle.
As consumers continue to navigate economic uncertainty and rising costs, many are spreading purchases over a longer period of time, researching options more carefully, and looking for opportunities to maximize value.
For brands, this means the opportunity to influence purchase decisions begins much earlier than many retailers realize.
AI Is Becoming Part of the Shopping Journey
Another major theme explored during the webinar was the growing role AI plays in shopping.
Consumers are increasingly turning to AI to help discover products, compare options, evaluate purchases, and identify the best value before making a buying decision. While AI-assisted shopping is still evolving, it is quickly becoming a trusted resource for consumers throughout the purchase journey.
In fact, Minty's latest AI Shopper Study uncovered nine emerging AI shopping behaviors that are reshaping how consumers move from discovery to purchase. During the webinar, attendees learned how these behaviors are influencing shopping decisions today and what they may mean for the future of commerce.
Value Continues to Drive Consumer Decisions
Across both studies, one theme consistently emerged: value matters.
Today's consumers are becoming increasingly intentional with their spending and actively seeking ways to stretch their budgets. Whether through discounts, promotions, cashback opportunities, rewards programs, or AI-powered recommendations, shoppers are looking for every advantage they can find before making a purchase.
As a result, brands must think strategically about how they communicate value and remain visible throughout the increasingly complex shopping journey.
Key Topics Covered During the Webinar
During Back-to-School AI Unleashed, attendees learned:
The nine AI shopping behaviors identified in Minty's latest research
How AI is influencing purchase decisions
Why the Back-to-School shopping window is expanding
How consumers are adapting to economic uncertainty
What today's shoppers value most when deciding where to buy
Which consumers are leading the shift toward AI-assisted shopping
What brands need to understand about the future of AI-driven commerce
Watch the Recording & Download the Presentation
The way consumers shop is changing rapidly, and AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the purchase journey.
If you missed the live session—or would like to revisit the findings—you can watch the recording of Back-to-School AI Unleashed and download the presentation deck to explore the research in more detail.
Inside, you'll learn:
The nine AI shopping behaviors identified in Minty's latest research
How AI is influencing Back-to-School purchase decisions
Why consumers are starting their shopping earlier than ever
What shoppers value most when deciding where to buy
What brands need to understand about the future of AI-driven commerce
Whether you're planning for Back-to-School season or preparing for the broader shift toward AI-assisted shopping, these insights can help you better understand today's consumer and stay ahead of changing shopping behaviors.
Watch the recording and download the presentation to access the full findings.
Want to dive deeper into the research? Read Minty's press release, "Savvier Consumers Are Already Back-to-School Shopping and Using AI to Win on Value," Are Already Back-to-School Shopping and Using AI to Win on Value," for additional insights from both national shopper studies. for additional insights from both national shopper studies.