Why AI Shopping & AI Search Are Ignoring Local Retailers | Future of Retail

What happens to small businesses when AI shopping recommendations favor big retailers over local stores? In this episode of Retail in America, Ron Thurston sits down with Dax Dasilva — Founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce — to discuss how AI shopping, retail technology, and artificial intelligence are transforming the future of retail and changing how consumers discover local businesses. They discuss why AI search favors big retailers over independent stores, how AI agents and retail automation are changing business operations, the importance of AI search optimization, and how omnichannel retail and customer experience are shaping the future of shopping, exploring what these changes mean for small business owners, independent retailers, and the retail industry. Dax also shares his journey of building Lightspeed Commerce to help small businesses compete with major retail chains. He explains how AI-powered retail technology, the Prompt Local initiative, and AI shopping tools can improve retail discoverability, inventory management, and business growth. This is a conversation about AI in Retail, Future of Retail,Local Retailers, AI Shopping, Retail Technology, and Small Business Innovation — with practical insights into AI agents, retail automation, customer experience, and the future of shopping. IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 | How AI Shopping Is Changing the Future of Retail 02:03 | Dax Dasilva Explains Lightspeed Commerce 06:15 | Why AI Search Favors Big Retailers Over Local Stores 09:44 | Social Media and AI Search Discoverability 15:48 | The Shift From SEO to AI Search Optimization 18:53 | AI Agents and Lightspeed AI Showroom 22:57 | How Small Retailers Can Improve AI Visibility 23:38 | The Future of Retail and AI Automation 25:08 | Gen Z Shopping and the Rise of Social Retail Spaces 27:28 | Omnichannel Retail and Customer Experience 28:29 | Dax's Environmental Conservation Journey 32:11 | NRF Big Show and the Future of AI Commerce 35:00 | How AI Is Transforming Retail Business Operations 37:26 | Final Thoughts on Supporting Local Retailers ABOUT DAX DASILVA Dax Dasilva is the Founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce, a global retail technology company providing AI-powered business solutions, point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and omnichannel commerce tools. Since founding Lightspeed in 2005, Dax has focused on helping independent retailers and small businesses compete through technology. He is also an entrepreneur, author, and environmental advocate who founded Age of Union, a conservation alliance protecting threatened ecosystems. ABOUT RON THURSTON / RETAIL IN AMERICA Retail in America, hosted by Ron Thurston, explores the future of retail, retail technology, business innovation, and customer experience through conversations with retail leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts shaping the future of shopping. CONNECT WITH RON THURSTON / RETAIL IN AMERICA Website → https://www.ronthurston.com YouTube → https://linktr.ee/ronthurston LinkedIn →   / rthurston   Instagram →   / retailpride   Spotify / Apple Podcasts → https://linktr.ee/ronthurston CONNECT WITH DAX DASILVA Website → https://www.lightspeedhq.com LinkedIn →   / daxdasilva   Instagram →   / daxdasilva   If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, like, and share it with anyone interested in AI technology, retail innovation, small business growth, and the future of retail. #FutureOfRetail #AIInRetail #RetailTechnology #DaxDasilva #RetailInAmericaTechnology