Walmart (WMT) and Google announced plans to integrate AI-driven shopping directly into Google’s Gemini assistant, signaling a further push toward a future built around autonomous “agent” systems rather than traditional search.
In a press release issued 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 suggest related products during conversations, recommend complementary products, and connect purchases to Walmart’s existing delivery and membership infrastructure, according to a statement.
Walmart positioned the partnership as part of a broader shift away from search and click shopping. “The shift from traditional web and app search to agent-driven commerce represents the next big evolution in retail,” John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart US and incoming CEO of Walmart Inc., said in a release. Furner said the company wants its AI system to help customers move more seamlessly from inspiration to purchase.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed this framework, saying AI can improve the consumer’s “discovery-to-delivery” journey. Pichai said customers will soon be able to experience Walmart products first-hand inside Gemini.
Walmart says the experience will launch first in the U.S., with plans to expand internationally.
In a separate statement on its website, Walmart provided additional context for the announcement, explaining that the move is part of a long-term strategy centered on “agency commerce.” According to the post, the retailer believes shopping will evolve from keyword searches to systems that can understand user intent and take actions on your behalf.
Walmart said it has been building toward that model for nearly a decade. The company recently announced that it introduced a framework built around four internal “super agents” designed to serve customers, employees, partners, and developers, as well as integrations with external AI platforms such as Gemini and ChatGPT.
The retailer cited in-app shopping assistant Sparky as an early example of agent 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 handle tasks such as customer support, inventory planning, and supply chain coordination.
Walmart also noted that agent systems are increasingly being incorporated across its operations, from automating merchant data tasks to shortening fashion production timelines to optimizing delivery logistics. The company claimed that these systems are moving beyond experimentation and into large-scale real-world deployments.
