- Safwan AMM
- 03 October, 2025
AI Shopping Agents: How Sri Lankans Will Shop in the Future
Online shopping in Sri Lanka usually means scrolling through Daraz, checking Kapruka, or opening multiple WhatsApp groups that resellers use. We compare, we bargain, we add to cart, and finally, after a lot of searching—we buy.
But this whole process is about to change. Soon, we won’t need to scroll through 20 pages of products. Instead, we’ll simply ask an AI agent:
👉 “Find me a saree under Rs. 8,000 from a trusted seller in Colombo, with cash on delivery.”
In seconds, the AI will scan Daraz, Kapruka, Odel’s online store, maybe even a small Instagram boutique—and give you a shortlist. You pick one, confirm payment, and it’s done.
No more juggling tabs. No more asking friends “machan, is this seller legit?” The AI becomes your personal shopper.
From Chatbot to Smart Shopper
The real power of these AI shopping agents is that they learn from your choices.
- If you always pick eco-friendly batik wear, the AI will highlight sustainable Sri Lankan brands.
- If you prefer cash on delivery over card payments, it will prioritize COD sellers.
- If you reject “imported” products and go for locally made kade items, the AI notices that too.
It’s like having a friend who knows your shopping style and filters the whole market for you.
Impact on Sri Lankan Businesses
For Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and retailers, this is a game-changer.
- Small Businesses: Imagine a handloom shop in Kandy suddenly getting exposure when someone asks the AI for “authentic Sri Lankan sarongs.” Before, only tourists who walked in could buy. Now, the AI puts them in front of global buyers.
- Big Retailers: Odel or Arpico might still attract shoppers, but if AI shopping agents control discovery, even they must fight for visibility.
- Online Platforms: Daraz and Kapruka may become back-end suppliers while the AI owns the customer conversation.
The big question for businesses is: How do we ensure the AI recommends us first?
The New Battle for Shelf Space
Just like Google SEO changed marketing, AI shopping agents create a new type of advertising battle.
Example:
You ask, “Best budget smartphone under Rs. 50,000 with good battery in Sri Lanka.”
The AI might recommend a Samsung on Daraz, a Xiaomi from Abans, and an Oppo at Singer.
👉 Which one appears first? That’s the new digital shelf space.
This means brands will compete not just for Google ads, but for AI placement. Those who don’t adapt risk being invisible.
The Risks in the Sri Lankan Context
Two big risks stand out:
- Data Privacy – For AI to work, it needs access to your payments, addresses, and preferences. In Sri Lanka, where people already hesitate to put card details online, trust will be the biggest barrier.
- Limited Choice – If the AI filters too strictly, we may lose the joy of discovery. What if a small spice seller in Jaffna or a crafts shop in Galle never makes it into AI’s “recommended” list?
That’s why businesses and platforms must make AI inclusive—not just for the big names but also for small kades and home businesses.
The Road Ahead in Sri Lanka
Soon, online stores may not even need banners, sliders, or 100 pages of listings. The future storefront might just be:
🖥️ A simple chat box asking: “What do you want to buy today?”
For shoppers, that means less stress and more trust.
For businesses, it means adapt or disappear.
- Daraz may launch its own AI assistant.
- Kapruka might integrate AI for global buyers of Sri Lankan products.
- Even your neighborhood grocer in Dehiwala might one day plug into AI to deliver via PickMe or Uber Eats.
Final Word as an Entrepreneur
As someone passionate about business, I see this as Sri Lanka’s chance to leapfrog. Instead of following global giants, our brands and startups can embrace AI early.
The winners will be those who:
✅ Build trust with quality and delivery
✅ Partner with AI-driven platforms
✅ Position their products to be “AI-friendly”
Because in the near future, shopping in Sri Lanka won’t start with Daraz, Kapruka, or Odel. It will start with a conversation with AI.
And the smartest brands will make sure they are part of that conversation.
