Channable, an Amsterdam-based multichannel commerce platform, has introduced an AI Readiness Audit tool designed to help e-commerce merchants evaluate and improve their product feed data ahead of the critical holiday shopping season. The launch addresses a significant gap identified in the company’s analysis of 10,000 online retailers, revealing that approximately 75 percent score below six on AI shopping readiness metrics.
The Data Gap Problem
The root cause of low readiness scores, according to Channable’s findings, stems from incomplete product feeds lacking the detailed attributes required by modern AI shopping environments. As search behavior evolves and consumers increasingly interact with e-commerce platforms through conversational AI interfaces, the demand for richer, more comprehensive product data has intensified.
Lucas Bassa, Product Lead at Channable, explained the shift in consumer behavior: “These days you search as if you were talking to a large language model instead of typing keywords. That directly affects what a recommendation engine returns. Where a search engine shows dozens of results, an assistant like Amazon’s Rufus suggests only a handful – five instead of fifty.” — Lucas Bassa, Product Lead at Channable
This fundamental change in how consumers discover products means that merchants with sparse or generic product information risk reduced visibility within AI-powered shopping systems, potentially impacting their revenue during peak selling periods.
Audit Tool Functionality
The AI Readiness Audit evaluates whether product feeds contain the necessary data granularity and quality for optimal performance in Google’s AI shopping features. By analyzing current feed attributes against AI shopping requirements, the tool provides merchants with actionable recommendations for data enhancement. The platform has made the audit available to its existing customer base, enabling retailers to assess their current position and implement improvements.
Channable’s approach focuses on practical solutions for a market facing rapid transformation. Rather than positioning the tool solely as a diagnostic instrument, the company positions it as part of a broader data optimization strategy that helps merchants maintain competitiveness in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.
Timing Considerations
The launch arrives at a strategic moment in the retail calendar. With peak shopping season approaching, merchants face pressure to maximize visibility and conversion rates. The timing also reflects broader industry momentum around AI shopping features, with Google and other major platforms increasingly prioritizing AI-driven recommendation systems.
Broader European Context
The tool’s introduction underscores challenges facing the wider European e-commerce ecosystem. Many smaller and mid-sized retailers across the continent still operate with legacy systems and limited data infrastructure, putting them at potential disadvantage as major platforms shift toward AI-native commerce. Channable’s initiative highlights both the technical barriers European merchants face and the growing role SaaS platforms play in helping them adapt to platform evolution. For a fragmented market with varied levels of digital maturity, tools that democratize access to AI-readiness standards may prove increasingly essential.