Walmart Inc. has teamed with Google’s Gemini AI assistant to let shoppers discover and purchase Walmart and Sam’s Club products directly inside the Gemini chat interface. The first‑in‑class integration will launch in the United States on January 12, 2026, with a phased rollout to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany by the end of 2026. After the U.S. launch, Walmart will expand the partnership to all markets where Gemini is available, with a target of 80 % global coverage by mid‑2027.
The integration works by linking a Walmart or Sam’s Club account to a user’s Gemini profile. Once linked, Gemini can pull a shopper’s purchase history, membership status, and location data to surface personalized product recommendations, real‑time inventory, and store‑pickup options. The checkout flow is fully contained within Gemini: users can add items to a cart, apply coupons, and complete payment without leaving the chat, after which the order is routed to the nearest Walmart fulfillment center for same‑day or next‑day delivery.
Strategically, the partnership builds on Walmart’s existing AI initiatives. The company’s own “Sparky” chatbot, launched in 2024, has already driven a 12 % lift in online conversion, while a prior Instant Checkout integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT in October 2025 increased average order value by 7 %. By embedding Gemini, Walmart aims to capture shoppers who begin their journey on a third‑party AI platform, thereby deepening data collection on intent and expanding its ecosystem monetization strategy. Doug McMillon, Walmart’s CEO, said the move “runs Walmart toward a future where AI is the default shopping experience, and we’re excited to bring that to the most popular AI assistant in the world.”
The partnership also leverages Walmart’s physical footprint. The company has been turning every store into a fulfillment center, and the Gemini integration will allow shoppers to choose in‑store pickup or curbside delivery from the nearest location. This not only speeds delivery but also drives foot traffic to stores, where customers can browse additional products. Desirée Gosby, Senior Vice President of Tech Strategy, noted that “the Gemini channel will be a new revenue stream that complements our existing e‑commerce and in‑store sales, while also providing a richer data set to refine our inventory and pricing models.”
In the broader competitive landscape, Walmart’s Gemini partnership directly challenges Amazon’s Rufus assistant and other retailers such as Shopify, Wayfair, and Target that are also expanding Gemini’s shopping features. The collaboration is part of Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a standard that Walmart, Target, and others are developing to enable seamless transactions across AI platforms. Cheryl Ainoa, Executive Vice President of Sam’s Club, emphasized that “AI is infiltrating every area of our business, from supply chain to member experience, and this partnership is a key step in delivering that value to our customers.”
Looking ahead, Walmart plans to use the Gemini channel to test new pricing models, such as dynamic discounting based on real‑time demand signals, and to pilot a subscription service that offers free same‑day delivery for Gemini users. While the partnership is still in its early stages, analysts expect it to add an estimated $1.2 billion to Walmart’s annual revenue over the next three years, driven by higher conversion rates and increased average order value. The company’s management remains optimistic, with John Furner, incoming president and CEO, stating that “agent‑led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail, and Walmart is positioned to lead that shift.”
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.