Walmart Teams Up With Google’s Gemini AI to Revolutionize Shopping

Forget scrolling – Walmart and Google are turning chatbots into your new shopping cart.

At the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York, Walmart’s incoming CEO John Furner and Google’s Sundar Pichai unveiled a landmark partnership: shoppers will soon search for, select, and purchase Walmart products directly through Google’s Gemini AI chatbot. While the companies haven’t disclosed pricing or a launch timeline, the feature will debut in the U.S. before expanding globally.

This isn’t Walmart’s first AI-powered shopping experiment. In October, the retail giant partnered with OpenAI to enable “Instant Checkout” via ChatGPT, allowing users to buy items without leaving the chatbot interface. Walmart even developed its own AI assistant—Sparky, a smiling yellow chatbot—to guide shoppers. But the Google deal signals a bolder vision for retail’s future.

The Rise of Agent-Led Commerce
Furner called the shift from traditional search to AI-driven shopping “the next great evolution in retail.” Instead of endless scrolling and clicking, chatbots like Gemini could streamline purchases by understanding natural language requests. Imagine typing “Plan a cozy movie night for four” and having the AI curate snacks, blankets, and entertainment—then checkout in seconds.

AI’s Unavoidable Impact on Jobs
Outgoing Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has been candid about AI’s disruptive force, stating it will “change literally every job” at the company. While AI-driven efficiency could lower costs, it also raises questions about workforce adaptation. Will Walmart reskill employees to manage AI tools? How will smaller retailers compete?

The Future of Frictionless Shopping
Walmart’s aggressive AI strategy highlights a broader trend: retail is becoming conversational. As chatbots handle product discovery, price comparisons, and payments, convenience will redefine brand loyalty. The challenge? Ensuring AI enhances—rather than distances—the human touch in shopping.

One thing’s clear: the race to dominate AI-powered retail is heating up. With Walmart and Google leading the charge, your next purchase might start with a simple “Hey Gemini.”