Key Takeaways
- Walmart and Google have partnered to allow shoppers to use Google’s artificial intelligence assistant Gemini to discover and buy products from Walmart and Sam’s Club
- The new feature will start in the U.S. and expand internationally, with no launch date or financial terms announced
- Walmart is boosting its effort to keep up with customers who are using AI chatbots to save time or look for inspiration
- The company has also announced a deal with OpenAI’s ChatGPT to allow shoppers to make purchases with "Instant Checkout"
- Walmart leaders believe that AI will change the workforce and employees’ roles, with the technology expected to have a sweeping impact on the retail industry
Introduction to the Partnership
Walmart and Google have announced a partnership that will allow shoppers to use Google’s artificial intelligence assistant Gemini to discover and buy products from the retail giant and its warehouse club, Sam’s Club. The partnership was announced by incoming Walmart CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on stage at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, an annual industry conference held at New York City’s Javits Center. As Furner said, "The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail," adding that "We aren’t just watching the shift, we are driving it."
The Impact of AI on Retail
The partnership between Walmart and Google is the latest example of how AI is changing the retail industry. With the rise of AI chatbots, customers are increasingly using these tools to save time or look for inspiration when shopping. As David Guggina, Walmart U.S.’s chief ecommerce officer, said, "Agentic AI helps us meet customers earlier in their shopping journey and in more places." This shift in customer behavior is forcing retailers to adapt their digital strategies to keep up. As Pichai said, the adoption of AI is a "transformative" moment, and retailers like Walmart are having to "rewrite the retail playbook" to remain competitive.
Walmart’s AI Strategy
Walmart has been investing heavily in AI in recent years, and the partnership with Google is just the latest example of this strategy. The company has also announced a deal with OpenAI’s ChatGPT to allow shoppers to make purchases with "Instant Checkout," a feature that allows them to buy an item without leaving the AI chatbot. Walmart also has its own AI chatbot, a yellow smiley-faced assistant on its app called Sparky. As Furner said, Walmart is "trying to close the gap between I want it and I have it," and AI is a key part of this effort.
The Future of Work in Retail
The partnership between Walmart and Google also highlights the potential impact of AI on the workforce and employees’ roles. As Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who is retiring and will be succeeded by Furner, has said, "It’s very clear that AI is going to change literally every job." This is a significant concern, given that Walmart is the largest private employer in the U.S. As Furner said, the company is "rewriting the retail playbook," and AI is a key part of this effort. However, it remains to be seen how the company will balance the benefits of AI with the potential risks to its employees.
Conclusion
The partnership between Walmart and Google is a significant development in the retail industry, and highlights the growing importance of AI in shaping customer behavior and retail strategies. As the company continues to invest in AI, it will be interesting to see how this technology changes the retail landscape, and what impact it has on the workforce and employees’ roles. As Guggina said, "Over time, these agents will make it easier for customers to find what they need, want and love," and it remains to be seen how this will play out in practice.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/11/walmart-partners-with-google-gemini-on-shopping-tool.html