From Pymnts · PYMNTS · · 1m 20s
Google preps retailers for AI-driven holiday shopping
New agentic tools help merchants track discovery and enable checkout as shoppers turn to AI for gift research.
In brief
New agentic tools help merchants track discovery and enable checkout as shoppers turn to AI for gift research. Google's new AI tools let retailers track how customers discover them through conversational AI and enable direct checkout across Google surfaces. Originally reported by Pymnts.
Shoppers turn to AI for gifts
Google is rolling out agentic AI commerce tools for merchants before the holiday season. Shoppers increasingly use AI to discover products and compare options.
“Finding the perfect holiday gift has always taken thought and research, and today's shoppers are increasingly turning to AI to discover products”
Performance insights track discovery
Google added AI performance insights to Merchant Center in five countries. Retailers can compare their share of voice with competitors on AI Mode and AI Overviews.
Enhanced checkout capabilities arrive
Google is updating its Universal Commerce Protocol integration hub. Merchants can now enable cart transfer and enhanced checkout flow testing with analytics coming soon.
Rollout starts in the US
The new capabilities are gradually launching in the United States. Australia and Canada will get access early in 2027.
Agentic shopping is already here
39 million U.S. adults have replaced traditional channels with AI-driven product discovery. 139 million Americans have made a retail purchase with AI help.
Consumers ready for AI agents
24% of consumers would let an AI agent shop and buy for them. A smaller 14% would permit an AI app to hold their payment card.
What to remember
Google's new AI tools let retailers track how customers discover them through conversational AI and enable direct checkout across Google surfaces.
