Google has launched the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) with Walmart, Target, and other major retailers, positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven retail solutions. Announced during the National Retail Federation convention, UCP is an open-source standard that simplifies how AI agents manage shopping tasks from product discovery to checkout. This initiative aims for seamless integration across platforms without the need for retailers to create custom connections. Google’s new AI-powered checkout feature enables U.S. consumers to make purchases directly within Google’s ecosystem, utilizing stored payment methods like Google Wallet, with PayPal integration on the horizon. Additionally, Google unveiled virtual Shopping Assistants and the Direct Offers program, which provide exclusive discounts for high-intent shoppers. As competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft also enter this trillion-dollar market, Google emphasizes that UCP enhances collaboration in the evolving landscape of agentic commerce. Future updates will expand features and adapt to changing consumer behaviors.
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