Wayfair says it has co-developed Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard programming language designed to enable "more seamless, secure interactions between AI agents and retailers' platforms".
"Wayfair is investing in AI‑powered discovery wherever our customers are – whether that is on our own app or across external AI platforms," says Fiona Tan, Wayfair's CTO. "The Universal Commerce Protocol serves as the common language for this new ecosystem. It allows agents to bridge the gap between discovery and checkout, while ensuring we remain the merchant of record to guarantee the quality of the service."
Shopping for the home is a high-consideration experience, and Wayfair says it is focused on helping customers shop with confidence online. With millions of products across styles, categories and price points, Wayfair continues to invest in technology to make discovery "more intuitive and personalised", helping customers refine their style preferences and find products that fit their needs more efficiently.
UCP is set to power a new checkout experience on eligible Google product listings in AI Mode in Search and the Gemini app, says Wayfair, adding that this capability will allow shoppers to check out directly without leaving Google while they are researching: "Wayfair will remain the merchant of record, ensuring consistent pricing, fulfilment, and customer support."
Fiona concludes: "By working together with other retailers on open standards like UCP, we're helping ensure AI-driven shopping experiences connect customers to trusted retailers and reliable purchase experiences."
