Core Viewpoint - Walmart is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities by launching a new shopping assistant named "Sparky" to enhance customer experience and address changing consumer spending habits [2][4]. Group 1: Product Features - "Sparky" is a generative AI-powered assistant available on the Walmart app, designed to help customers search for items, synthesize reviews, and provide insights for various occasions [2][3]. - The assistant offers instant and comprehensive answers to product inquiries, enabling customers to understand features, compare items, and make informed purchasing decisions [3]. - Future capabilities of Sparky will include customizing user experiences, such as automatic reordering of household essentials and booking services for complex shopping tasks [4]. Group 2: Market Context - Walmart is launching Sparky amid pressures from evolving consumer spending habits, as both Walmart and Amazon are experiencing slower sales growth [4][5]. - In the first quarter of 2025, Walmart reported a sales growth of 3.2%, marking its weakest quarterly performance since before the COVID pandemic, which is only slightly above inflation [5]. - The retail industry is increasingly adopting AI innovations, with a report indicating that consumers are interested in AI-powered shopping experiences [6].
Walmart Bets On AI Assistant Sparky To Ignite Sales