TL;DR
Microsoft has introduced Copilot Checkout, a feature that lets users complete purchases from within Copilot conversations. The tool is rolling out on Copilot.com in the US with a handful of retail partners and payment providers.
What happened
Microsoft announced a new Copilot Checkout feature that surfaces purchase options during conversations with its AI assistant. When a user requests shopping help—such as recommendations for sneakers or a bedside lamp—Copilot can show product details alongside a Buy button. Selecting Buy opens a checkout flow embedded in the app where customers can enter shipping and payment details and finalize an order without leaving the chat. The initial rollout is on Copilot.com in the United States and works with a limited group of retailers, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Ashley Furniture, and certain Etsy sellers. Microsoft said payments will be handled through partners including PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify. The move aligns Copilot with similar in-chat purchasing tools from other AI platforms and reflects a broader trend toward agent-assisted shopping.
Why it matters
- Streamlines the purchase path by removing the need to navigate retailer websites, which could change conversion dynamics for e-commerce.
- Positions Copilot as a more transactional AI assistant, increasing its role beyond information and productivity tasks.
- Adds competitive pressure in a space where other AI services have introduced agentic checkout capabilities.
- Dependence on third-party payment and retail partners may shape user experience and merchant adoption.
Key facts
- Feature name: Copilot Checkout.
- Allows completing purchases within Copilot conversations without visiting the retailer’s site.
- Example interactions include product suggestions with a Details button and a Buy button that opens an embedded checkout.
- Initial rollout is on Copilot.com in the United States.
- Confirmed retail partners at launch include Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Ashley Furniture, and some Etsy sellers.
- Payment processing partners mentioned are PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify.
- The feature resembles in-chat checkout options introduced by other AI services, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT checkout.
- Other companies like Google and Perplexity have also developed agent-enabled shopping tools; the latter’s ability to help users buy products reportedly drew criticism from Amazon.
What to watch next
- Which additional retailers sign on to Copilot Checkout and how quickly the partner list grows.
- Whether Microsoft expands the feature beyond Copilot.com in the US to other platforms and regions — not confirmed in the source.
- Regulatory, privacy, or merchant pushback related to in-chat purchases and data handling — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Copilot: Microsoft’s AI assistant that helps with search, tasks, and conversational queries across apps and services.
- Checkout: The process where a customer provides shipping and payment information to complete an online purchase.
- Agentic checkout: An automated shopping flow in which an AI agent identifies items and completes purchases on behalf of a user or within a conversational interface.
- Payment processor: A service that handles the authorization and settlement of credit card and digital payments between buyer, seller, and banks.
- Embedded checkout: A payment flow presented inside an app or page so customers can buy without navigating away to a retailer’s website.
Reader FAQ
How does Copilot Checkout work?
Copilot can surface product suggestions with a Buy button; tapping it opens an embedded checkout where users enter shipping and payment details to complete the purchase.
Which retailers support Copilot Checkout?
At launch Microsoft lists Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Ashley Furniture, and some Etsy sellers as available partners.
Who handles payments for purchases made through Copilot?
Microsoft said PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify are working with the company to power payments.
Is Copilot Checkout available outside the United States?
not confirmed in the source
Will Copilot be able to buy from any online store?
not confirmed in the source
NEWS AI TECH Microsoft will put buy buttons directly in Copilot A new Copilot Checkout feature allows you to make purchases without leaving your chat. by Emma Roth Jan 8,…
Sources
- Microsoft will put buy buttons directly in Copilot
- M365 Copilot – Remove 'Upgrade Copilot' button
- Shopping with Microsoft Copilot
- Conversation modes in Microsoft Copilot
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