Stripe & Thoughtworks Report: Agentic Commerce Gap in ANZ Revealed

A recent report co-authored by Stripe and Thoughtworks, leveraging YouGov research conducted in July 2026, has unveiled a significant execution gap in agentic commerce readiness among businesses in Australia and New Zealand, despite widespread consumer adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for online shopping. Published in August 2026, the comprehensive study highlights that while a substantial 81% of consumers in the region actively utilize AI to assist with purchasing decisions and 98% of businesses already receive AI-referred traffic, only a limited number of enterprises have successfully implemented live, integrated agentic commerce solutions.

What Changed

The ‘Agentic Commerce Readiness Report,’ a collaborative effort by global payments technology company Stripe and leading digital transformation consultancy Thoughtworks, based on YouGov research from July 2026, has brought to light a stark contrast between consumer behavior and business implementation in Australia and New Zealand. According to the report, a substantial 81% of consumers in these markets are actively using artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with their online shopping journeys, indicating a strong comfort level with AI-driven interactions. Furthermore, the study indicates that an overwhelming 98% of businesses operating in Australia and New Zealand are already experiencing traffic referred to their platforms by AI agents, demonstrating the pervasive influence of AI in the digital commerce ecosystem. This AI-driven traffic, as noted in the report, also consistently demonstrates improved conversion rates compared to traditional channels, signaling a clear advantage. However, despite these compelling indicators of consumer readiness and tangible benefits, the report identifies that only a small fraction of businesses have progressed to implementing live, integrated agentic commerce solutions, signaling a considerable lag in strategic adoption and execution.

Why It Matters for Agentic Commerce

The findings from the Stripe and Thoughtworks report underscore a critical juncture for the evolution of digital commerce in Australia and New Zealand. The significant gap between widespread consumer AI adoption and limited business integration suggests that many enterprises may be missing out on substantial growth opportunities and competitive advantages. According to the report, the improved conversion rates observed from AI-referred traffic indicate that consumers are not only comfortable with but are also more likely to complete purchases when guided by agentic systems. This trend implies that businesses failing to adapt risk falling behind competitors who embrace these advanced technologies, potentially losing market share and customer loyalty. Analysts cited within the report suggest that agentic commerce represents a fundamental shift in how transactions occur, moving beyond passive browsing to proactive, AI-driven purchasing decisions. The report emphasizes that businesses that delay integration may face challenges in capturing future market share and meeting evolving customer expectations in an increasingly automated retail environment.

What It Means for Merchants

For merchants in Australia and New Zealand, the ‘Agentic Commerce Readiness Report’ provides clear directives for navigating the evolving digital landscape. The report implicitly suggests that businesses should prioritize the strategic integration of agentic commerce solutions to align with prevailing consumer behaviors and capitalize on the demonstrated benefits of AI-referred traffic. This includes evaluating existing payment infrastructure to ensure it can seamlessly support AI-driven transactions, a key area of expertise highlighted by Stripe’s involvement in the report. Furthermore, merchants are encouraged to explore how AI agents can enhance the overall customer experience, from highly personalized product recommendations to automated, frictionless purchasing processes. Thoughtworks’ contribution to the report points towards the need for robust technological frameworks, agile development practices, and a clear strategic roadmap to implement these complex integrations effectively. The report’s findings imply that proactive investment in agentic capabilities could lead to increased conversion rates, improved operational efficiency, and stronger customer loyalty, positioning businesses for future success in an AI-powered economy.

Regional Context

The insights from the Stripe and Thoughtworks report position Australia and New Zealand as key regions experiencing the early stages of the global agentic commerce transformation. While the report focuses specifically on these markets, the underlying trends of increasing consumer AI adoption and the potential for AI-driven commerce are reflective of broader international shifts. According to the report, the observed readiness gap in ANZ could serve as a valuable case study for other regions grappling with similar challenges in integrating advanced artificial intelligence into commercial operations. The report implicitly suggests that as agentic commerce matures, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders globally may need to consider developing comprehensive frameworks that support the secure, transparent, and ethical development of these systems, ensuring consumer protection while fostering innovation in this rapidly expanding sector of digital commerce.

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