Google has unveiled a new AI-powered ‘universal cart’ that could reshape online shopping, marking another major shift in the battle for clicks and conversions.

Announced at Google I/O 2026, the feature is designed to follow shoppers across Google Search, Gemini, YouTube and Gmail, helping them track products, compare prices, spot deals and check out faster.

The key detail for local retailers is that Shopify merchants are expected to be included alongside major brands. Google also confirmed its Universal Commerce Protocol-powered checkout system is coming to Australia in the coming months.

According to Vidhya Srinivasan, Vice President/General Manager, Ads & Commerce, Google is “building the foundation for agentic commerce” using AI tools that help customers make purchasing decisions and eventually complete purchases on their behalf.

A smarter shopping cart

Srinivasan  says universal cart works like a connected shopping basket that follows customers around Google’s ecosystem. Someone might discover a product in Search, ask Gemini questions about it later, watch a YouTube review and eventually buy it days later using the same cart.

Google says the system can monitor price drops, alert shoppers when products come back in stock, compare offers between retailers and surface loyalty rewards or payment perks automatically.

“It works across merchants and across services,” Srinivasan said.

The system can also flag compatibility issues between products. Google used the example of someone building a custom PC, where the cart could warn customers if certain parts won’t work together.

If you’re a teailer, this means product information matters. Accurate stock levels, pricing, delivery details and product descriptions could directly influence whether Google’s systems recommend your products to shoppers.

Faster checkout could help smaller retailers

Google says customers will be able to check out using Google Pay in just a few taps or transfer products directly to a merchant’s website to complete the purchase.

It’s anticipated that the change could help reduce one of online retail’s biggest frustrations: abandoned carts. The less friction and the easier the buying process becomes, the less chance customers have to get distracted halfway through checkout.

Retailers already using Shopify will be well-placed to benefit if Google expands these features broadly across smaller merchants.

AI agents to do your buying for you

Google also introduced a new payments system called the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), designed to let AI agents make purchases on behalf of shoppers within set rules and spending limits. Customers could eventually tell an AI assistant what brands they prefer, how much they want to spend and what products they’re looking for, with the agent completing purchases automatically when conditions are met.

Google says the system includes safeguards, spending controls and a digital paper trail for returns and disputes. It’s another sign that online shopping is becoming increasingly automated and recommendation-driven. Businesses with strong reviews, reliable fulfilment, accurate product data and competitive pricing are likely to have a competitive advantage as these systems evolve.

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