Hong Kong Retailers Prepare for AI Agent Purchases
Adyen forecasts agentic commerce as top 2026 trend. Hong Kong retailers must balance AI-driven autonomous purchases with security as 35% of consumers remain cautious.
Hong Kong retailers are preparing for a major shift in how customers shop, as artificial intelligence agents start buying products on behalf of consumers. Financial technology platform Adyen has identified this "agentic commerce" as a top payment trend for 2026, alongside mobile payment devices and embedded checkouts.
AI Agents Move from Concept to Reality
Agentic commerce, where AI systems autonomously execute purchases without human intervention, is transitioning from experimental technology to commercial application in Hong Kong. According to Adyen's 2026 forecast, the city's payments ecosystem must ensure every AI-driven purchase remains secure and verifiable as this technology rolls out.
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The challenge for businesses extends beyond simply enabling the technology. Retailers must maintain control over payment methods and customer identity verification to safeguard transactions, Adyen noted. This creates a fundamental tension between offering frictionless shopping experiences and maintaining robust security protocols.
The security concerns are particularly acute in Hong Kong, where 35% of consumers express caution about embracing AI technologies. Retailers must balance innovation with customer trust as they implement systems that allow AI agents to make autonomous purchasing decisions.
Mobile Payments Drive Efficiency Gains
Beyond AI-powered shopping, mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems are gaining traction across Hong Kong's retail and dining sectors. Forty-four percent of Hong Kong merchants report that offering mobile payment solutions has effectively enhanced checkout efficiency and increased repeat spending rates.
These portable devices help manage peak traffic periods, reduce customer wait times, and improve revenue efficiency. However, merchants face a technical transition as payment infrastructure evolves. About 34% of local merchants are actively seeking support to upgrade from the expiring PCI PTS 5.0 standard to the more advanced PCI PTS 6.0 framework for their payment devices, according to Adyen.
The upgrade represents more than a technical requirement. It reflects the broader need for payment infrastructure that can support both traditional transactions and emerging AI-driven commerce while maintaining security standards.
Embedded Checkouts Eliminate Friction
In e-commerce, Hong Kong merchants are moving to eliminate checkout friction by embedding native payment experiences directly into their digital environments. This approach keeps customers engaged from browsing through payment confirmation without redirecting them to external payment pages.
The strategy addresses a critical pain point in online shopping, where customers often abandon purchases during checkout. By maintaining continuity within the merchant's own digital environment, retailers aim to reduce drop-off rates and improve conversion.
As Hong Kong enters this new era of AI-assisted shopping, the retail sector faces a complex balancing act. Businesses must deliver the seamless experiences consumers expect while building security frameworks robust enough to handle autonomous AI transactions. Success will depend on implementing payment infrastructure that protects both merchants and customers as shopping becomes increasingly automated.
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