Core Viewpoint - Amazon is testing a new shopping feature called "Shop Direct," which allows consumers to purchase products not listed on Amazon but available on independent sites, indicating a strategic shift to integrate external product offerings into its platform [4][10][18]. Group 1: Shop Direct Feature - The "Shop Direct" feature enables users to see links to independent sites when searching for products on Amazon, facilitating direct purchases from those sites [4][6]. - This feature is currently in a testing phase and is only available to a limited number of users in the U.S. [4][10]. - The introduction of "Shop Direct" is part of Amazon's strategy to enhance its product offerings and maintain its position as a primary online shopping destination amidst competition from AI-driven shopping platforms [10][28]. Group 2: Impact on Independent Sellers - Some independent sellers have reported increased sales, attributing this growth to the traffic driven by Amazon's "Shop Direct" feature [21][22]. - However, there are concerns among independent sellers that Amazon may leverage user data to compete against them in the future, potentially leading to a reliance on Amazon for traffic that could become monetized [22][23]. - Amazon has stated that the initiative aims to help sellers reach more customers, and sellers can opt out if they do not wish to participate [22][23]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Amazon's traditional dominance as an online shopping gateway is being challenged by AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini, which offer integrated shopping experiences without redirecting users to third-party sites [27][28]. - The "Shop Direct" feature is seen as a response to this competitive pressure, allowing Amazon to incorporate a wider range of products from independent sites into its ecosystem [10][28]. - The company is also enhancing its AI shopping assistant, Rufus, to improve user engagement and conversion rates, with a reported 60% increase in order completion when using the assistant [30][33].

Key Takeaways Nebius aims for $7-$9B ARR by 2026 with new data centers and AI cloud expansions.Major contracts with Microsoft ($17.4-$19.4B) and Meta (up to $3B) back Nebius' platform.Amazon scales AI across AWS, retail and semiconductors, boosting innovation and customer reach.Nebius Group N.V. (NBIS) and Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) offer different investment profiles within the AI cloud space. NBIS is a focused, high-growth AI cloud provider that gives investors direct exposure to rising demand for AI infrast ...

Core Viewpoint - eBay is implementing a ban on third-party "buy-for-me" agents and AI chatbots from interacting with its platform without consent, effective February 20, as part of an update to its terms of service [2][3]. Group 1: eBay's Policy Changes - The new terms explicitly prohibit the use of any automated means, including buy-for-me agents and AI-driven bots, to place orders without human review [2]. - This update follows a previous version of the agreement that did not specifically mention AI agents, indicating a shift in eBay's approach to automated interactions [3]. Group 2: Industry Context - The report highlights a broader trend in eCommerce where companies like Amazon are also blocking third-party AI shopping tools to protect their direct relationships with consumers and control over data [4]. - Amazon has taken legal action against AI agents that conduct purchases on behalf of users, emphasizing the competitive landscape regarding AI in retail [4]. Group 3: AI Investments - Both eBay and Amazon are investing significantly in their own AI technologies, with eBay introducing an AI assistant for messaging to enhance customer interactions [5]. - eBay described the previous year as "transformative" for its AI initiatives, deploying new tools aimed at improving the experience for both sellers and buyers [6].

on 26-Jan-2026 Zhihan Ma, CFA +1 917 344 8303 zhihan.ma@bernsteinsg.com 26 January 2026 US Retail & Internet The Age of Agents: Agentic shopping and the future of retail media Richard J. Clarke, FCA +44 20 7676 6850 richard.clarke@bernsteinsg.com Jeremy Miles, CFA +1 917 344 8370 jeremy.miles@bernsteinsg.com Mark Shmulik +1 917 344 8508 mark.shmulik@bernsteinsg.com Wenhuan Chang +1 917 344 8546 wenhuan.chang@bernsteinsg.com Major retailers have recently entered into partnerships with OpenAI and/or Google. T ...

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) is one of the best blue-chip stocks to buy for 2026. On January 5, analysts at Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating on Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) and set a $335 price target. According to the research firm, the e-commerce giant is well-positioned for growth driven by its AI-powered shopping assistant, Rufus. AI-Shopping Assistant Rufus to Drive Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) e-Commerce Growth: Evercore ISI Evercore ISI expects Rufus and other AI commerce features to bolste ...

Core Viewpoint - Blue-chip stocks are expected to lead the US equity market in 2026, driven by a resilient economy and the artificial intelligence boom [1] Economic Context - The Dow Jones Industrial Average has reached an all-time high, reflecting strong investor sentiment towards large blue-chip companies, with a rally extending beyond mega-cap technology into industrial, financial, and biotechnology sectors [2] - Interest rate cuts are anticipated to support the outlook for mega-cap stocks, with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicating a "shallow but steady" path for rate reductions, allowing equity strategists to raise price targets for blue-chip stocks [3][4] - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that lower interest rates are crucial for accelerating economic growth, which aligns with Goldman Sachs' expectation of a cyclical upturn benefiting large-cap stocks [4] Investment Methodology - A list of blue-chip ETFs was analyzed to identify stocks with over 20% upside potential as of January 15, along with the number of hedge funds holding stakes in these stocks as of Q3 2025 [6] Company Highlights - **BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:BLK)**: - Identified as a top blue-chip stock for 2026 with a 21.01% upside potential and 63 hedge fund holders [8][9] - Plans to invest $333.6 million in Aditya Birla Renewables Limited, enhancing its position in the renewable energy sector [10] - Morgan Stanley has set a price target of $1,514 for BlackRock, citing its expansion in private markets and technology solutions [11][12] - **Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN)**: - Recognized as another leading blue-chip stock for 2026 with a 21.47% upside potential and 332 hedge fund holders [13] - Analysts at Evercore ISI have set a price target of $335, highlighting growth driven by its AI-powered shopping assistant, Rufus, which is expected to increase retail gross merchandise volume by 4.44% by 2028 [14][15] - Amazon's cloud unit has partnered with Infosys to enhance enterprise services using generative AI, integrating Topaz AI services with AWS [16][17]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the integration of AI and e-commerce is transitioning from "discriminative recommendation" to "generative recommendation (GR)", driven by the technological advantages of large language models (LLMs) [1] - The industry is overcoming the limitations of traditional deep learning recommendation models (DLRMs) through the validation of Scaling Law, leading to improved user retention and advertising conversion rates (CTR) on e-commerce platforms [1] - Generative recommendation engines utilize LLMs for matching a vast array of products, significantly enhancing recommendation effectiveness, as demonstrated by Alibaba's introduction of a large user model (LUM) [1] Group 2 - The Qianwen APP has rapidly increased its monthly active users (MAU), surpassing 100 million by January 14, 2026, and is expected to leverage Alibaba's ecosystem for further growth [2] - The AI shopping assistant Rufus from Amazon has transformed traditional search methods, allowing users to ask questions in natural language for product comparisons and recommendations, indicating a shift in e-commerce traffic entry and distribution mechanisms [2] Group 3 - Alibaba-W (09988) is a key recommendation, with additional focus on industry chain targets such as Focus Media (002027.SZ), Worth Buying (300785.SZ), and others [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing competition among tech giants in the AI and e-commerce sectors, highlighting how AI is reshaping the shopping experience and the dynamics of market competition [4][5][6]. Group 1: AI Integration in E-commerce - Walmart and Google announced a partnership to integrate Walmart's products into Google's Gemini, allowing users to browse and purchase items directly through AI chat interfaces [4]. - OpenAI's ChatGPT introduced the "Instant Checkout" feature, enabling users to complete purchases without leaving the chat interface, marking a significant shift in the shopping process [5][9]. - On Black Friday 2025, AI-driven shopping led to a record online spending of $11.8 billion in the U.S., reflecting a 9.1% increase from the previous year, indicating AI's growing influence in consumer behavior [5]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competition is evolving from search engines to e-commerce platforms, with major players like Google, OpenAI, and retail giants vying for control over transaction entry points [5][6]. - Amazon is taking measures to restrict AI companies from accessing its platform data, indicating its concern over losing control of the shopping process [17][18]. - Shopify is adopting a collaborative approach, allowing AI tools to assist in transactions while ensuring that the final payment process remains within its ecosystem [19][20]. Group 3: Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite advancements, AI shopping functionalities are still in early stages, with issues like "hallucination" affecting the reliability of product recommendations [21]. - The article suggests that the ongoing technological transformation will lead to a redefinition of the boundaries between search, transaction, and decision-making processes, rather than a complete replacement of existing systems [21][22]. - The competition among tech companies is expected to result in a landscape where no single entity can dominate, emphasizing the need for adaptability and innovation [22].

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 has shown remarkable resilience in 2026 despite macroeconomic challenges, leading to speculation about whether the market is ignoring risks or if it is a sign to invest in proven winners as the AI revolution progresses [1][2]. Company Summaries Apple - Apple shares have declined over 3% year to date, despite the anticipation surrounding a significant Siri update and a newly inked AI deal with Google [3][4]. - The partnership with Google positions Apple favorably in the AI landscape, potentially allowing it to gain an advantage with lower spending compared to competitors [5]. - Analysts suggest that 2026 could be a pivotal year for Apple to embrace the AI revolution, with expectations that the stock may outperform modest forecasts ahead of the Siri update [6]. Amazon - Amazon shares have increased nearly 9% year to date, indicating a potential turnaround after lagging behind the market in the previous year [7]. - The company has multiple growth catalysts, including advancements in AWS, warehouse robotics, grocery retail, and AI solutions, which may position it as a significant player in the AI monetization space [8]. - Analysts view Amazon as a standout value pick, trading at less than 35 times trailing price-to-earnings, and believe that its investments in AI will ultimately be seen as beneficial rather than risky [9][10].

Core Insights - The article discusses the ongoing competition among tech giants in the AI space, particularly focusing on the integration of AI into e-commerce and the implications for traditional shopping platforms [2][4][12]. Group 1: AI Integration in E-commerce - Walmart and Google announced a partnership to integrate Walmart's products into Google's Gemini, allowing users to browse and purchase items directly within the AI interface [3]. - The introduction of OpenAI's "Instant Checkout" feature in September 2025 marked a significant shift, enabling users to complete purchases without leaving the AI chat interface [7]. - On Black Friday 2025, AI-driven shopping led to a record online spending of $11.8 billion in the U.S., reflecting a 9.1% increase from the previous year, highlighting AI's growing role in consumer decision-making [4]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competition is evolving into a three-way battle among shopping platforms, search engines, and large model developers, with each vying for control over the transaction entry point [4][12]. - OpenAI's rapid user growth and the introduction of features like SearchGPT have posed a direct threat to Google's traditional search model, which has dominated the market for two decades [9][11]. - Google's response to the AI challenge included the launch of its own large model, Gemini, which aims to enhance its search capabilities and maintain its market position [10][12]. Group 3: Responses from E-commerce Giants - Amazon has taken defensive measures by restricting AI companies' access to its platform, indicating its concern over losing control of the shopping process [15]. - In contrast, Shopify has adopted a more collaborative approach, allowing AI tools to assist in transactions while ensuring that the final payment process remains within its ecosystem [17]. - The differing strategies of Amazon and Shopify reflect their underlying business models, with Amazon focused on maintaining its revenue from search and advertising, while Shopify aims to facilitate transactions for merchants [17][18]. Group 4: Future Implications - The article suggests that while AI shopping tools are still in their early stages, they are beginning to disrupt traditional commercial structures, indicating that no company can remain unaffected by these changes [19]. - The ongoing evolution of AI in e-commerce is expected to redefine the boundaries of search, transaction, and decision-making processes, rather than simply replacing existing systems [18].