Monday, January 12, 2026- Walmart has announced a major partnership with Google to integrate the company’s AI chatbot, Gemini, into its shopping experience, aiming to make product discovery and purchasing faster, simpler, and more intuitive.
The move turns the Gemini platform into not just an assistant that answers questions, but a virtual shopping tool that can help users search for products, build carts, and complete purchases directly within the AI interface all without navigating traditional search bars or multiple tabs. The integration marks a key step in Walmart’s broader strategy to bring AI into everyday retail and enhance convenience for its customers.
Under the new system, shoppers will soon be able to link their Walmart or Sam’s Club accounts with Gemini, allowing the AI to provide personalized recommendations based on past purchases and preferences. When customers ask Gemini to help find specific products whether it’s camping gear, groceries, or electronics the AI will present relevant items from Walmart’s vast inventory and handle checkout seamlessly.
The Universal Commerce Protocol, a new open standard developed with Google and several major retailers, enables this agent‑led commerce experience and supports in‑chat purchasing without having to leave the chatbot.
The partnership was unveiled at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York, where both companies emphasized that conversational AI is rapidly transforming e‑commerce. By shifting from traditional keyword search to natural, conversational interactions, Walmart and Google hope to reduce friction in the shopping journey and speed up purchases.
As AI‑driven commerce gains traction, this collaboration puts Walmart at the forefront of the emerging trend where conversational tools don’t just help people find products they help them buy them instantly.
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