Walmart has additionally rolled out its own in-house assistant, Sparky, which appears in the retailer’s app as a yellow smiley-face icon. Sparky already helps customers navigate product categories, check inventory levels and manage orders. By integrating with Gemini, the company aims to reach shoppers who begin their product searches outside Walmart’s digital properties.
Furner, who is scheduled to assume the top executive role on February 1, said AI-driven shopping agents reduce the gap between desire and delivery by compressing the steps required to move from product discovery to checkout. Pichai described the adoption of generative AI in retail as a transformative moment that changes how consumers interact with merchants.
Implications for Customer Behavior
Company leaders expect the Gemini option to shift a portion of e-commerce traffic away from traditional search bars and category menus toward conversational queries. Shoppers will be able to ask broad questions—such as assembling ingredients for a recipe or finding supplies for a home project—and receive curated product lists pulled from Walmart’s inventory. Payment, shipping and fulfillment details can then be completed inside the same chat thread.
David Guggina, chief e-commerce officer for Walmart U.S., said agentic AI tools allow the retailer to engage customers earlier in the decision-making process, before they have settled on a specific brand or store. Over time, he expects conversational systems to simplify product discovery and help consumers focus on items they value most.
Workforce and Operational Considerations
The integration also underscores how Walmart believes AI will reshape its workforce. Outgoing Chief Executive Doug McMillon has previously stated that artificial intelligence will affect virtually every position within the company. Automation of routine tasks is expected to free associates for higher-level responsibilities, although Walmart has not detailed how job descriptions will shift.
The retailer, which employs more than 1.6 million workers in the United States, has implemented training programs to familiarize staff with new digital tools. According to company statements, roles in merchandising, supply chain and customer service are likely to see the most immediate changes as AI applications expand.
Competitive Landscape
Rival retailers are adopting similar strategies. Amazon has incorporated generative AI into product listings and customer support, while Target is experimenting with chat-based recommendations through its Circle loyalty program. By partnering with both OpenAI and Google, Walmart positions itself to engage users across multiple AI ecosystems.
Analysts view the Gemini alliance as a way for Google to strengthen its presence in commerce, a sector where it competes with Amazon for product search traffic. The company already offers Shopping ads and product listings, but embedding retail transactions directly inside Gemini could increase user engagement and advertising opportunities.
Next Steps
Neither company provided a specific timeline for the U.S. launch, though pilot testing is expected to begin this year. International deployment will follow based on regional demand and regulatory considerations. Walmart emphasized that security and privacy safeguards will align with its existing e-commerce standards.
Once the Gemini feature is active, customers will be able to link their Walmart accounts to the assistant, access personalized recommendations, and use stored payment credentials for one-click ordering. Orders will be fulfilled through Walmart’s network of stores and distribution centers, leveraging services such as same-day pickup and express delivery where available.
Sunday’s announcement marks the latest step in Walmart’s ongoing effort to integrate emerging technologies throughout its operations. As consumer behavior evolves and conversational AI becomes more commonplace, the retailer is positioning itself to capture demand wherever digital engagement begins.
Crédito da imagem: Joe Raedle | Getty Images
