Walmart and Google announced Sunday that shoppers will soon be able to discover and purchase products from Walmart and Sam’s Club using Google’s artificial intelligence assistant, Gemini.
The partnership was revealed on stage at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York City by incoming Walmart CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The companies did not disclose financial details or a specific launch date, but confirmed the experience will debut in the U.S. before expanding internationally.
AI-driven shopping gains momentum
The collaboration reflects Walmart’s growing push to meet customers where shopping journeys increasingly begin: inside AI chatbots. Consumers are turning to conversational AI to save time, explore ideas, and simplify purchases, forcing retailers to rethink traditional search and ecommerce models.
Walmart has already taken steps in this direction. In October, the retailer partnered with OpenAI to enable purchases through ChatGPT using an “Instant Checkout” feature that allows users to buy products without leaving the chatbot. OpenAI has rolled out similar integrations with other retailers, including Etsy and Shopify merchants such as Skims, Vuori, and Spanx.
In parallel, Walmart operates its own in-app AI assistant called Sparky, a yellow smiley-faced chatbot designed to help customers browse and shop more efficiently.
Rewriting the retail playbook
Furner, who officially becomes Walmart CEO on Feb. 1, described the shift toward agent-led commerce as a fundamental evolution in retail. He said Walmart is actively driving the transition rather than reacting to it, with AI helping shorten the distance between customer intent and purchase.
Pichai echoed that sentiment, calling the adoption of AI in shopping a transformative moment and highlighting Google’s enthusiasm for working with the world’s largest retailer.
Strategic implications for ecommerce
As more consumers begin product searches through AI assistants instead of retailer apps or websites, Walmart’s digital strategy is adapting accordingly. David Guggina, Walmart U.S.’s chief ecommerce officer, said agentic AI allows the company to engage shoppers earlier in their decision-making process and across more platforms.
Over time, Walmart expects these AI agents to make shopping more intuitive by helping customers find products they need, want, or did not yet realize they were looking for.
Impact beyond customers
Walmart executives have also emphasized that AI will significantly reshape work inside the company. Outgoing CEO Doug McMillon, who will be succeeded by Furner, has said the technology is expected to change virtually every job at the retailer.
As the largest private employer in the United States, Walmart’s embrace of AI-powered commerce signals broader changes ahead for both retail workers and the industry as a whole.
