Google has introduced a new standard called the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to enhance the shopping experience on Gemini and Search’s AI Mode. This standard covers everything from product discovery to after-sales support, aiming to make shopping more seamless for users.
Walmart is among the first retailers to adopt the UCP, enabling users to browse, compare, and purchase Walmart and Sam’s Club products directly within the chat interface. Gemini will now display both in-store and online products from Walmart and Sam’s Club in response to shopping queries.
Users can link their accounts to make purchases and receive recommendations for complementary items based on their past purchases. Walmart sees this partnership as part of a broader trend towards agent-led commerce, where AI plays a more significant role in the shopping journey.
According to John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart US, this shift represents “the next great revolution in retail” and aims to provide customers with what they need and want, when and where they want it. The agentic shopping experience will initially launch in Gemini in the US before expanding to other markets.
Walmart’s AI Shopping Initiatives
Walmart has previously partnered with OpenAI to offer an agentic shopping experience for select products through ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout feature. Microsoft has also entered the agentic commerce space with Copilot Checkout, integrating with platforms like Shopify, PayPal, and Stripe.
