Bunnings is preparing for a significant shift in online retail, with customers soon able to discover and purchase products directly through Google AI Mode. The upcoming rollout will allow shoppers to move from product research to checkout within Google’s AI-powered experience, reducing the need to navigate multiple websites during the buying process.
The launch is expected within the next two weeks and will make Bunnings one of the first Australian retailers to offer a shoppable product range through Google’s AI-driven commerce platform. Customers will be able to browse products, receive recommendations and complete purchases through Google Search, Chrome and the Google app.
While the announcement may sound like another AI feature launch, it reflects a much larger change taking place across the retail industry. Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from a search tool into a new channel for product discovery and commerce.
Bunnings Bets On The Future Of AI Commerce
Bunnings Managing Director Michael Schneider has highlighted the growing number of customers using generative AI tools to search for products and plan projects. Rather than beginning their shopping journey on a retailer’s website, consumers are increasingly turning to AI platforms for recommendations and purchasing guidance.
To capitalise on that shift, Bunnings is connecting its catalogue to Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a system designed to support AI-powered shopping experiences. The technology allows retailers to surface products directly within AI conversations and streamline the path to purchase.
For shoppers tackling DIY projects, home renovations or gardening tasks, the experience could feel more natural. Instead of manually comparing dozens of products, customers may receive tailored suggestions based on the project they are trying to complete.
The move builds on Bunnings’ broader AI strategy, which has already produced the retailer’s AI-powered shopping assistant, Buddy. The tool was introduced earlier this year to help customers plan projects, find products and shop online with greater confidence.
Why Retailers Are Racing To Embrace AI
The growing popularity of AI search is forcing retailers to rethink how customers find products online. Google AI Mode surpassed one billion monthly users in 2026, highlighting the scale of consumer adoption and the opportunity for brands that establish an early presence.
For retailers, the challenge is becoming increasingly clear: if consumers begin their shopping journey inside AI platforms, businesses need to ensure their products are visible where those conversations are taking place.
This trend is not limited to Bunnings. Across the retail sector, businesses are investing heavily in technologies that simplify online shopping. Recent developments in AI-powered shopping tools show how retailers are using artificial intelligence to improve product discovery, customer engagement and purchasing experiences.
According to Bunnings, Buddy has already generated strong engagement results, helping more customers complete purchases and increasing average basket sizes through project-focused shopping behaviour.
These early outcomes suggest consumers are becoming more comfortable receiving shopping guidance from AI systems when planning larger purchases or home improvement projects.
What It Means For Australian Shoppers
The biggest advantage for consumers is convenience. Traditional online shopping often involves multiple searches, product comparisons and visits to different websites before a decision is made. AI-powered commerce aims to simplify that process by bringing recommendations, information and checkout into a single experience.
However, the shift also creates new expectations. Retailers will need to ensure product information remains accurate, stock availability is updated in real time and recommendations are genuinely relevant to customer needs.
Transparency will become increasingly important as AI shopping grows. Customers will want to understand why certain products are recommended and whether commercial partnerships influence results.
Bunnings is not alone in preparing for this future. Wesfarmers-owned Kmart recently introduced its own AI-powered shopping tool, while Woolworths and Coles have also outlined plans to expand AI capabilities through partnerships with major technology companies.
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As more retailers invest in artificial intelligence, online shopping is likely to become increasingly conversational. For Bunnings customers, the upcoming launch represents an early glimpse into that future, where asking a question and making a purchase may soon happen in the same AI-powered interaction.
More information about Google’s latest AI initiatives can be found on Google’s official blog.
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