UCP and MCP protocols emerging as foundational interoperability layer

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The Latest Agentic Development

Google + Shopify + major retailers launch “Universal Commerce Protocol” (UCP) for agent-led checkout

A coalition including Google, Shopify, and large retailers unveiled UCP an open standard meant to let AI agents complete purchases across platforms (not just recommend products). Strategic implication: it’s a serious attempt to solve the “N×N integrations” problem that blocks agentic commerce from scaling beyond single-store demos.

Home Depot & Google Cloud Scale Agentic AI Across Store & Digital

The Home Depot and Google Cloud expanded their partnership at NRF 2026 with new agentic AI tools moving customers from advice-seeking to autonomous action. The Magic Apron assistant now includes multimodal support, real-time in-store aisle navigation, and AI-powered materials lists for pros (beta since November 2025, now scaling nationally). Route intelligence optimizes last-mile deliveries while Gemini Enterprise deployed across Store Support Center associates automates associate workflows. This demonstrates mature agent deployment at scale across customer-facing and internal operations.

Walmart Integrates with Gemini for Unified Agentic Shopping Experience

Walmart and Google announced a direct agentic commerce integration within Gemini using the Universal Commerce Protocol. When Walmart accounts are linked, the agent personalizes recommendations based on purchase history, combines orders across Walmart and Sam's Club carts, and activates membership benefits. Fast delivery spans hundreds of thousands of locally curated products in under 3 hours to 30 minutes. This positions Gemini as a primary shopping interface where agents autonomously match customer intent to Walmart's inventory without user website navigation.

Shopify Launches Copilot Checkout Integration for Embedded Commerce

Shopify announced integration with Microsoft Copilot Checkout, enabling merchants to accept purchases directly within Copilot's conversational interface. The embedded checkout processes payments through PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify while merchants retain transaction control. Shopping journeys complete without retailers redirecting users to external sites shortening purchase friction as agents autonomously guide users from intent to checkout within a single interface.

Microsoft Advances Agentic Commerce Suite: Copilot Checkout, Brand Agents, and MCP Server

Microsoft unveiled a comprehensive agentic retail platform including Copilot Checkout (live in U.S. with Shopify, PayPal, Stripe, Etsy), Brand Agents customizable per merchant catalog in Copilot Studio, and the forthcoming Dynamics 365 Commerce MCP Server (preview February 2026). The MCP Server exposes core retail logic—catalog, pricing, promotions, inventory, carts, orders, fulfillment—as protocol-enabled capabilities, allowing agents to securely discover, decide, and execute workflows across digital, physical, and conversational channels. This infrastructure positions Microsoft's ecosystem as a unified agentic commerce operating system.

Cyera Secures $400M Series F to Govern Agentic AI Security at Scale

Spangle AI Raises $15M to Connect Discovery and Conversion via Agentic Infrastructure

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