Episode Overview

Podcast: Voices of Search
Episode Title: How will retail search behaviors shift over the next 18 months?
Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Tyson Stockton
Guest: AJ Grgic (Bodify)

This episode explores the rapidly evolving landscape of retail search behaviors, with a sharp focus on the anticipated impacts of AI-driven shopping assistants over the next 18 months. Host Tyson Stockton and guest AJ Grgic dive into actionable strategies for brands preparing for a major industry shift, particularly in anticipation of upcoming Black Friday cycles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “Crystal Ball” Predictions for Retail & Search (00:43–03:12)

• Black Friday as a Tipping Point:

  • Current industry conversations are fixated on Black Friday, which AJ predicts will be the last "traditional" event before AI and agentic search capabilities become dominant.
  • AJ highlights that while AI tools like ChatGPT play a role today (impacting perhaps “5%, 10%, 12%” of behaviors and outcomes), their influence is set to surge in the coming year.

  “This is the last Black Friday. That AI search won’t dominate, that agentic search won’t dominate. This is the last one.”
  — AJ Grgic [01:22]

• The Rise of AI as the “Customer”:

  • AJ underscores a paradigm shift where, in 18 months, “your customer will be AI.” He urges brands to stop viewing AI merely as a tool to manipulate, and instead treat it as a legitimate end-user or gatekeeper in the purchasing journey.
  • Successful long-term strategies will focus on nurturing and influencing AI in ways akin to how brands currently consider human customers.

  “You need to stop, like tomorrow, stop thinking about AI as a technology to trick or influence … Would you do that with your customer? That’s not a good long term game.”
  — AJ Grgic [02:14]

• Actionable Guidance:

  • Brands should assess where AI derives its data and decisions from, considering how to productively “nurture” and “influence” AI in a responsible manner.
  • The speed of interface change and user adoption is described as “happening at a global pace,” urging companies not to delay adaptation.

  “They’re changing interfaces at an exponential curve and it’s happening at a global pace.”
  — AJ Grgic [01:45]

2. Strategic Opportunities for Brands (03:12–04:00)

• Agility Wins:

  • Tyson observes that legacy retail brands resemble “cruise ships”—slow to turn—while nimble challengers can seize the “inside lane” by moving faster.
  • Early movers have a clear opportunity to outpace larger competitors during this period of disruption.

  “If you are able to move quickly…you actually do have an opportunity to get that inside lane.”
  — Tyson Stockton [03:35]

• Metaphor for Action:

  • AJ illustrates the point succinctly:

    “If you’re a cruise ship, launch speedboats. If you’re a speedboat, keep trucking. Right?”
    — AJ Grgic [04:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• AJ Grgic on the coming AI wave:

  “18 months from now…like it is coming like a freight train. And the user adoption, they are shifting and changing interfaces…at a global pace.” [01:45]

• On treating AI as your next ‘customer’:

  “In 18 months it will be everyone’s dominant customer." [02:05]

• Action for traditional brands:

  “If you’re a cruise ship, launch speedboats…” [04:00]

• Tyson on opportunity for disruptors:

  “…Try to use this as that opportunity to get the head start on it 100%.” [03:50]

Important Timestamps

• 00:43 Introduction of lightning-round topic – retail search future
• 01:09 AJ’s forecast for Black Friday and rising AI influence
• 02:14 The necessity to “nurture” AI rather than manipulate
• 03:12 Tyson on competitive opportunity for fast movers
• 04:00 AJ’s “cruise ship/speedboat” analogy

Summary & Takeaways

• Major Shift Imminent: The traditional retail and search landscape is in its final phase before AI-driven shopping assistants and agentic search become industry standard.
• Brands Must Adapt Mindset: Companies need to start treating AI as a real “customer”—one whose needs, preferences, and decision-making processes must be understood and influenced ethically.
• Speed is a Differentiator: Nimble brands have a rare opportunity to get ahead of slower, established competitors as these changes unfold.
• Action-Oriented Strategy: It’s time for organizations to assess, experiment, and move rapidly—either by launching new, agile initiatives (“speedboats”) or by accelerating current efforts.

This episode is a call to action for SEO professionals and retail brands: adapt now, or risk being left behind as AI redefines retail search.