Mall of America® survey reveals nearly half of shoppers plan to use AI, but people and stores lead holiday gift inspiration

45% anticipate using AI for holiday shopping; fewer than 1% rank it as their first choice for gift ideas

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence is becoming part of holiday shopping plans, but consumers are continuing to turn to friends, family and physical stores for gift ideas, inspiration and more, according to a new Mall of America® survey of 1,775 respondents.

45% of respondents identified at least one way they expect to use AI for holiday shopping, by comparing products or prices (22%) and finding deals or promotions (18%) among the most frequently selected uses. However, when asked to rank their preferred sources of holiday gift ideas, friends and family were the leading first choice at 50%, followed by shopping in stores at 28%. Fewer than 1% ranked AI tools first.

"Technology is giving shoppers new ways to plan for the holidays, but there's still something special about discovering the perfect gift in-person and sharing those moments with family and friends," said Jill Renslow, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at Mall of America. "Shoppers are finding new ways to make the most of their holiday budgets while enjoying the experiences that make the season special. At Mall of America, guests can discover sought-after brands, explore new retail experiences and enjoy holiday traditions that bring family and friends together year after year."

Key findings from the 2026 survey include:

• Value remains a priority: Six in 10 respondents (61%) plan to look for more deals, promotions or rewards this holiday season, compared with 53% in Mall of America's 2025 survey.
  
  
• Fewer shoppers expect to cut spending: Just 27% anticipate spending less than last year, down from 34% in 2025. Meanwhile, 44% expect to spend about the same, and 16% plan to spend more.
  
  
• Holiday experiences paired with shopping: When asked what makes an in-person visit exciting beyond shopping, 26% ranked dining or seasonal food and drinks first, followed by holiday décor and atmosphere (25%) and spending time with family or friends (21%).
  
  
• Hybrid shopping remains the preferred approach: 68% plan to do most of their holiday shopping through a mix of online and in-person channels, compared with 66% in 2025.
  
  
• Technology narrowly moves to the top of the gift list: Technology and electronics ranked first among categories respondents expect to spend the most on in 2026 (26%), narrowly ahead of clothing and footwear (25%); toys and games ranked third (18%). In 2025, clothing ranked first, toys and games second, and technology third.

Mall of America continues to anticipate evolving consumer interests by introducing sought-after brands, first-to-market concepts and limited-time pop-ups, along with new dining, entertainment and seasonal experiences. This ever-changing mix gives guests new reasons to visit and discover something different throughout the holiday season.

Survey methodology: Mall of America surveyed 1,775 consumers online ahead of the 2026 holiday shopping season.

For more information about the holiday season at Mall of America, visit mallofamerica.com/holiday.

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ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA

At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 500 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. Listen to So Much More, a Mall of America podcast, on major podcast platforms or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app

SOURCE Mall of America