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Kingfisher Survey Finds UK Shoppers Open to AI Assistants but Loyal to Human Advice

The B&Q and Screwfix owner released OnePoll research to showcase interest in smart‑store tech, including automatic spends up to £99.

Overview

  • A poll of 2,000 UK adults found 28% would let a personal AI assistant make purchases based on their shopping history.
  • Most respondents said they would allow an assistant to spend up to £99 without seeking approval.
  • Shoppers expressed interest in smart trolleys, dynamic smart shelves with personalised offers, and biometric payment options.
  • Requested features included a bulb and fixture scanner (24%), online‑to‑aisle guidance (23%), customisation stations (14%), and augmented reality experiences (12%), with 10% keen on in‑store 3D printing for parts.
  • Despite enthusiasm for convenience, 45% said they trust a human expert for home‑improvement advice, compared with 4% who would prefer AI.