Google launches a new agentic shopping experience

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Starting today, Canadian consumers can now purchase from eligible Canadian retailers—including lululemon, select Shopify merchants, Shoppers Drug Mart and Simons—while researching in AI Mode in Google Search and the Gemini app in Canada. Google is bringing Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP)-powered checkout, a new agentic shopping experience.

As 59% of holiday shoppers in Canada plan to use an AI tool to help them shop this season, this experience allows Canadians to shop their favourite brands with ease, without the need for 10 tabs open at one time – sound familiar? 

How does the new agentic shopping experience work? This direct checkout feature, powered by UCP, allows shoppers to purchase directly from elibible Canadian retailers at ease while they are researching on Google.

Next year, Google plans to broaden the access by making simplified UCP integration available directily with Merchant Centre. This will allow retailers to enable direct checkout and other capabilities for their product listings across the Gemini app and AI Mode in Google Search easily from their accounts.

 The feature is built with safety at its core. Shoppers can buy confidently with Google Pay using payment methods and shipping info already saved in Google Wallet. Retailers remain the seller of record, with the ability to customize the integration to their specific needs, all while helping to capture sales and avoid abandoned carts. In the coming months, they’ll work with retailers to add more capabilities, like applying loyalty rewards.