Asia-Pacific Powers Two-Thirds of Global Retail Growth as Agentic AI Momentum Builds

The Asia-Pacific region is set to drive two-thirds of the world's new retail sales over the next five years.

This dominance stems from a vast consumer base exceeding 4.3 billion people, 18 megacities, and a rapidly expanding middle class.

Agentic AI Fuels Retail Transformation

Nearly three-quarters of Asia-Pacific consumers already use artificial intelligence to discover, compare, and learn about products.

Currently, 29 percent of consumer companies in the region employ agentic AI, with projections indicating a rise to 76 percent within two years.

Vivek Sharma, Consumer Industry Leader at Deloitte Southeast Asia, emphasizes that agentic AI will redefine commerce by enabling autonomous actions for both consumers and businesses.

Historical Rise of Digital Retail in Asia-Pacific

Historically, the region pioneered digital retail through explosive growth in mobile payments and e-commerce platforms over the past decade.

This foundation has evolved consumer behaviors, blending digital discovery with physical shopping seamlessly.

Impacts and Future of AI-Driven Retail

The immediate impact includes hyper-personalized engagements, intelligent physical stores, and AI-optimized operations like inventory and pricing.

Looking ahead, shopping agents will autonomously handle searches, comparisons, and transactions, reshaping the entire retail value chain.

However, success hinges on overcoming challenges in technology infrastructure, data governance, security, and building consumer trust.

Ultimately, Asia-Pacific stands to become the global epicenter of retail innovation powered by agentic AI.