# 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.
- Title: Google preps retailers for AI-driven holiday shopping · Pymnts
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: google, artificial intelligence, retail, holiday shopping, merchant center, universal commerce protocol, ai mode, ai overviews, agentic ai, ecommerce, checkout, product discovery
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/google/2026/google-debuts-agentic-tools-to-prep-retailers-for-holidays
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:00:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: google, artificial intelligence, retail, holiday shopping, merchant center, universal commerce protocol, ai mode, ai overviews, agentic ai, ecommerce, checkout, product discovery
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Google's new AI tools let retailers track how customers discover them through conversational AI and enable direct checkout across Google surfaces.