Walmart teams up with Google’s Gemini for AI-assisted shopping

Core Insights - Walmart has launched a new consumer experience within Google's AI chatbot Gemini, enhancing its AI initiatives with external partners [1][2] - The integration allows Gemini users to discover Walmart and Sam's Club products, facilitating transactions within Walmart's checkout environment [2] - The initiative will first be available in the U.S. before expanding internationally [2] Group 1: Leadership and Strategic Direction - Incoming Walmart CEO John Furner discussed the development alongside Google CEO Sundar Pichai at The National Retail Federation's 2026 Big Show [3] - Pichai announced a new suite of AI tools for retailers through Gemini, including the Universal Commerce Protocol for agentic commerce [3][4] - Furner emphasized the company's willingness to adapt its operations and customer interactions in response to AI advancements [5][6] Group 2: Industry Context and Evolution - Google has reported a significant year-over-year increase in AI usage among retailers, indicating a broader trend in the industry [4] - Furner reflected on the evolution of retail, noting that the industry is currently in a transformative period requiring a rewrite of the retail playbook [6]