Walmart (WMT) and Google jointly announced the integration of AI-powered shopping directly into Google's flagship AI model Gemini, signaling a major shift from traditional search-and-click commerce to autonomous 'agentic' systems. The partnership is widely seen as a milestone in retail's transition to 'agentic commerce'.
Details: Shopping Through Conversations
According to a press release issued on Sunday, users will be able to discover and purchase products from Walmart and Sam's Club directly within Gemini conversations. The system surfaces relevant items based on dialogue, recommends complementary products, and seamlessly connects purchases to Walmart's existing delivery and membership infrastructure. Walmart said the experience will first launch in the U.S., with international expansion planned later.
Executive Views: From Search to Agency
John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. and incoming CEO of Walmart Inc., stated: 'The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail.' He emphasized that Walmart wants AI systems to help customers move 'from inspiration to purchase more seamlessly.' Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed the sentiment, saying AI can improve the consumer journey 'from discovery to delivery,' and that customers will soon experience Walmart's offerings inside Gemini.
Walmart's Agentic Commerce Strategy
In a detailed explainer on its website, Walmart described the partnership as part of a long-term strategy centered on 'agentic commerce.' The retailer views shopping evolving from keyword searches into systems that understand user intent and can act on their behalf. Walmart said it has been building toward this model for nearly a decade and recently introduced a framework built around four internal 'super agents' serving customers, associates, partners, and developers, alongside integrations with external AI platforms like Gemini and ChatGPT.
Existing Application: Sparky Assistant Already Deployed
Walmart pointed to its in-app shopping assistant Sparky as an early example of agentic technology. Sparky helps users find and compare products, plan events, and receive personalized recommendations, while behind-the-scenes agents handle tasks such as customer support, inventory planning, and supply chain coordination. Additionally, agentic systems are increasingly embedded across operations—from automating merchant data tasks to shortening fashion production timelines and optimizing delivery logistics. Walmart said these systems are moving beyond experimentation into real-world deployment at scale.