Walmart and Google have unveiled a partnership that could fundamentally change how Americans shop: customers will soon be able to browse, select, and purchase products directly through conversations with Google's Gemini AI assistant, with full integration into Walmart's checkout and delivery systems.

The announcement, made at the National Retail Federation's Big Show in New York City, positions Walmart as one of the first major retailers to embrace Google's new Universal Commerce Protocol—a framework designed to let AI agents complete entire shopping transactions on behalf of users.

How It Will Work

The integration creates a seamless shopping experience within Gemini:

  • Discovery: When users ask Gemini for product recommendations—"What's a good blender for smoothies?" or "I need supplies for a camping trip"—the AI will automatically include relevant Walmart and Sam's Club products in its responses
  • Personalization: Customers who link their Walmart accounts will receive recommendations based on past purchases, both online and in-store
  • Cart integration: Products can be added to existing Walmart or Sam's Club carts with conversational commands
  • Checkout: Transactions are completed within Walmart's secure checkout environment
  • Delivery: Orders leverage Walmart's delivery infrastructure, including same-day and sub-one-hour options

"This experience addresses several key customer needs: Gemini will automatically include Walmart and Sam's Club in-store and online products when it's relevant, combining the intelligence of Google's AI with Walmart's assortment, value and convenience."

— Walmart announcement

The Universal Commerce Protocol

Walmart is among the first retailers to adopt Google's Universal Commerce Protocol, also announced at NRF 2026. This standard allows AI agents to complete transactions on behalf of users across participating retailers.

The protocol represents Google's vision for "agentic commerce"—AI systems that can autonomously handle complex tasks like shopping rather than simply answering questions. For retailers, it offers a new channel to reach customers who increasingly interact with AI assistants.

The implications are significant:

  • Changed discovery: Product searches may shift from Google Search and Amazon to AI conversations
  • Reduced friction: Eliminating the need to open apps or websites could accelerate purchase decisions
  • Data opportunities: Retailers gain insights into conversational shopping patterns
  • Competitive pressure: Retailers not participating may lose visibility with AI-first consumers

Walmart's AI Strategy

The Google partnership is the latest in a series of AI initiatives from Walmart:

OpenAI partnership (October 2025): Walmart struck a similar deal with ChatGPT, ensuring presence across multiple AI platforms.

Sparky assistant: Walmart's own AI chatbot, featuring a yellow smiley-faced avatar, helps customers navigate the Walmart app.

Store operations: AI systems manage inventory, pricing, and fulfillment across Walmart's vast network.

By partnering with both Google and OpenAI, Walmart is hedging its bets on which AI platform consumers will ultimately prefer, ensuring visibility regardless of which assistant gains dominance.

The Competitive Landscape

The partnership puts pressure on Amazon, which has been developing its own AI shopping capabilities but lacks integration with dominant third-party AI assistants like Gemini and ChatGPT.

Amazon's Alexa has struggled to gain traction as a shopping interface, with most voice purchases limited to simple replenishment orders. The Walmart-Google deal suggests that sophisticated AI assistants, rather than voice-first devices, may define the future of conversational commerce.

Other retailers are watching closely. Target, Costco, and other major chains will likely face pressure to establish their own AI partnerships or risk being left out of AI-driven product recommendations entirely.

Privacy and Control Considerations

The integration raises questions about data sharing and algorithmic influence:

  • Data sharing: When users link accounts, purchase history informs AI recommendations
  • Algorithmic placement: How Gemini decides which products to recommend remains opaque
  • Commercial influence: Whether retailers can pay for preferred placement in AI responses is unclear

Google and Walmart have emphasized that users maintain control over account linking and can shop without connecting their accounts. However, the most personalized experience requires sharing purchase data with the AI system.

Timeline and Availability

The Walmart experience will first launch within Gemini in the United States, with international expansion planned for later. Neither company provided a specific launch date, but the NRF announcement suggests deployment in the first half of 2026.

Walmart+ and Sam's Club members will receive enhanced benefits through the integration, including membership perks and exclusive pricing that carry over to AI-initiated purchases.

What It Means for Consumers

For shoppers, the partnership promises convenience: the ability to add items to a shopping list, reorder household staples, or research major purchases through natural conversation rather than navigating apps and websites.

However, consumers should be aware that AI recommendations may not always surface the best deals or most appropriate products. As with any algorithmic system, understanding the commercial relationships behind recommendations remains important for making informed purchasing decisions.

The Walmart-Google partnership marks an early chapter in what promises to be a transformative period for retail. As AI assistants become more capable and more integrated into daily life, the way Americans discover and purchase products may look fundamentally different within just a few years.