Google introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) at the NRF 2026. UCP serves as a common language for agents and systems to work together, allowing consumers to buy products through Google’s AI Mode. Initially, UCP will use Google Wallet for payments, with PayPal integration in the future.

UCP is Google’s second agentic commerce protocol after AP2. Retailers and e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Wayfair aided in UCP’s development. Shopify VP Vanessa Lee mentioned UCP’s scalability, and Google plans to add more features like product recommendations and loyalty rewards soon.

UCP aims to boost sales through Gemini and Shopify, but experts like Richard Crone warn of potential downsides. Merchants may lose control over the checkout process, impacting cross-selling opportunities. Agentic commerce requires consumer interest in AI, merchant inventory visibility, and payment companies ensuring security and communication.

Payment companies are advancing agentic payment protocols rapidly, but some merchants are hesitant due to potential disintermediation costs and loss of control over the customer relationship. Crone warns that directing customers off-site for purchases can devalue a merchant’s brand and reduce them to mere fulfillment centers.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Google unveils new agentic commerce protocol for retailers