Google’s new Gemini “buy button” aims to keep shoppers — and retailers — inside its AI
NEW YORK, Jan 12, 2026, 07:49 EST Shares of Alphabet climbed roughly 1% in early Monday trading. On Sunday, Google unveiled new AI shopping tools designed to pull retailers further into its Search AI Mode and Gemini app, offering a more seamless journey from product discovery to checkout. The shift comes as retailers and payment companies dive into “agentic commerce” — industry jargon for AI that doesn’t just respond but actually takes steps, like assembling a basket and initiating payment. After the National Retail Federation convention kicked off in New York, Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol,