Retailers are pouring record sums into AI, but is the investment paying off? In today's episode, John unpacks a major KPMG survey revealing that over half of retailers now spend $50 million or more on digital technology annually, yet most are capturing less than 40% of the expected value from their AI tools. He connects this to a troubling new finding about ChatGPT's citation system, where hidden search pipelines can silently switch, making AI-driven brand discovery less predictable than many marketers assumed. Plus, practical updates from the Hyvä and Shopify partner ecosystems, and why the back-to-school season is shaping up to be the most competitive in years.

Topics covered in this episode:

• KPMG survey: 52% of retailers spending $50M+ on technology, with AI and cybersecurity as top priorities

• ChatGPT's hidden search pipelines and what they mean for AI-driven brand visibility

• Why original data earns 3.3x more AI citations than other content

• Hyvä Checkout Airwallex 1.1.0 brings Express Checkout to product pages and mini carts

• Shopify POS API change: per-unit discount calculation breaking change

• Back-to-school spending trends and Kohl's AI-powered shopping assistant

• Why you should opt out of Google Search Partners in your ad campaigns

Want to learn more? Visit www.ontapgroup.com for insights, strategies, and expert guidance on building better eCommerce experiences.