Walmart (WMT) and Google announced plans to integrate AI-powered shopping directly into Google’s Gemini Assistant, signaling a deeper push toward a future built around autonomous “agentic” systems, rather than traditional searches.
In a press release issued on Sunday, Walmart announced that the new experience will allow customers to discover and purchase Walmart and Sam’s Club products directly within Gemini, Google’s flagship AI model. The system is designed to surface relevant items during conversations, recommend additional products and connect purchases to Walmart’s existing delivery and membership infrastructure, the statement said.
Walmart framed the partnership as part of a broader shift away from search-and-click. “The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next big evolution in retail,” John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart US and incoming CEO of Walmart Inc., said in the release. Furner said the company wants AI systems to help customers go seamlessly from inspiration to purchase.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed this framing, saying in the statement that AI can improve the consumer journey “from discovery to delivery.” Pichai said customers will soon be able to experience Walmart’s offerings directly in Gemini.
The experience is expected to launch in the U.S. first, with an international expansion planned later, Walmart said.
In a separate explainer published on its website, Walmart provided additional context for the announcement, describing the move as part of a long-term strategy focused on “agentic commerce.” According to the release, the retailer views shopping as an evolution from keyword searching to systems that understand user intent and can take action on their behalf.
Walmart said it has been working on that model for nearly a decade. The company said it recently introduced a framework built around four internal “super agents,” designed to serve customers, employees, partners and developers, in addition to integrations with external AI platforms such as Gemini and ChatGPT.
The retailer cited its in-app shopping assistant Sparky as an early example of agentic technology already in use. According to Walmart, Sparky helps customers find and compare products, plan events and receive personalized recommendations, while behind-the-scenes agents perform tasks such as customer support, inventory planning and supply chain coordination.
Walmart also mentioned that agentic systems are increasingly embedded in its operations, from automating merchant data tasks to shortening fashion production timelines and optimizing delivery logistics. The company argued that these systems will evolve beyond experimentation and be widely deployed in the real world.