The RealReal Takes a Stand Against AI Agents Hoarding Designer Fashion

A secondhand luxury fashion consignment retailer is ramping up its bot defense system, making it tougher for AI agents to shop on its platform. This update follows reports that an AI agent could exploit the retailer’s item reserve feature. When a user adds an item to their cart, it goes “on hold” for 20 minutes, preventing other customers from purchasing it. Using Meta’s Muse, it was demonstrated that an AI could repeatedly re-add items to the cart as soon as the hold expired, effectively blocking other shoppers for extended periods.

In response, the retailer’s chief technology officer stated that they have addressed the issue highlighted in the report. The new bot defense measures significantly hinder all agents from logging in, adding items to carts, and completing purchases. However, agents can still browse listings and guide users to product pages, with plans to enhance protections as AI-driven online shopping continues to evolve.

Technology firms are marketing agents as personalized assistants for millions, designed to handle tasks like scheduling and shopping. So far, shopping has emerged as a primary use case for AI agents, with reports indicating that average purchases exceed $200. The popularity of Muse has surged, with 10 million downloads in just 40 days, suggesting a pivotal moment for AI agents.

However, the rise of AI shopping could disrupt the current online landscape. If consumers begin relying on chatbots instead of visiting websites directly, businesses may find themselves distanced from their customers. Retailers, particularly major players, are aware of the potential impact on their revenue, especially from advertising, and have taken steps to prevent agents from shopping on their sites.

The influx of AI agents could also complicate systems that shoppers typically take for granted, such as the reserve feature on a secondhand clothing site. While a human might hesitate to repeatedly add and remove items from their cart due to indecision, an AI agent has no such limitations. This capability, once reserved for personal assistants, is now accessible to millions of consumers, who are just beginning to explore its potential. Retailers are now in a race to adapt.