Walmart partners with Alphabet for AI-assisted shopping on Gemini

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Inc. is collaborating with Alphabet Inc. to introduce AI-powered shopping on Google’s Gemini platform — a move that forms part of the retailer’s push to implement the technology across its operations. 

Customers will gain the ability to purchase items via Gemini’s browser or mobile app in the coming months, David Guggina, chief e-commerce officer of Walmart US, shared in an interview. He noted that the selection will encompass apparel, consumables, entertainment, and food products currently available at Walmart and Sam’s Club. Shoppers can compile a cart and buy the items directly on Gemini, with Walmart handling order fulfillment. 

“We are moving beyond the era of the search bar,” Guggina stated. “We aren’t just meeting people where they shop; we’re anticipating how they live.”  

Consumers will be able to ask Gemini for advice and recommendations — such as which running shoes are most highly suggested. Gemini will respond with item options, including those sold at Walmart and Sam’s Club when relevant, which users can purchase directly.

Queries not directly related to shopping may also include product recommendations. Gemini will gauge users’ purchasing intent — for example, an inquiry about removing a wine stain from a rug could lead to links for related products sold at Walmart.

Fresh, frozen, and marketplace items will not be included in the initial offering, though the product range is set to expand over time. 

AI is increasingly shaping consumers’ shopping habits, as people use the technology more frequently to research items or compare deals. Brands and retailers are forging new partnerships to capitalize on this trend — Walmart is . 

That partnership, which enables shoppers to buy items through ChatGPT, is in “very early stages,” Guggina said. He added that the retailer aims to make shopping experiences simpler, more personalized, and more anticipatory through AI.  

Other retailers are establishing their own collaborations. Corp. is working with OpenAI to enhance shopping experiences and support employees, with the goal of “weaving AI throughout the business.” 

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company gained market share last year and has leveraged its scale as consumers seek out deals. It is driving efforts to integrate AI into all areas, from supply-chain management to the shopping experience.