As the holiday season nears, Walmart is making a game-changing move. With AI and generative AI (GenAI), the retail giant aims to make shopping simpler, faster, and more enjoyable.
This new approach focuses on every stage, from product discovery to purchase and delivery, even returns.
Holiday shopping often brings stress. Between finding the right gifts and navigating the holiday rush, the season can feel more hectic than festive. Walmart’s new AI-powered tools aim to ease that burden, offering customers a more streamlined experience.
When shoppers visit Walmart.com, they get a customized shopping experience. AI analyzes preferences based on browsing history and previous searches. This feature helps tailor gift ideas to each customer’s unique interests.
For instance, if someone has previously searched for board games, the homepage may feature similar deals or new releases. This personalized experience offers more than just convenience. It helps shoppers discover items they might have missed.
In the coming year, Walmart plans to take personalization even further. Customized homepages will become even more relevant for individual shoppers in the U.S. Internationally, in Mexico, Walmart is already rolling out GenAI-based personalization, expanding recommendations to holiday shoppers across various categories.
Walmart isn’t stopping at just products. AI also identifies influencers who align with customer interests. Their content appears on Walmart’s homepage, highlighting popular products for holiday gifting.
Customers can see trendy item recommendations from the app. This added layer of personalization provides a blend of social proof and curated recommendations.
It’s one more way Walmart keeps the shopping experience fresh and engaging.
For those needing more guidance, Walmart offers a GenAI-powered shopping assistant. Think of it as a virtual helper that’s ready to assist. In beta, this tool engages in natural conversations to help shoppers find the perfect item.
The GenAI assistant is handy for those shopping for others. Whether you need a gift for a five-year-old or a friend, the assistant has suggestions. It’s designed to help you feel confident in your choice.
Walmart’s GenAI search feature makes finding gifts even more accessible. Customers can describe their needs with questions like, “What’s a good gift for a five-year-old boy?” The search will return cross-category results, such as a soccer ball, sweater, or book.
These AI-driven tools are more than just practical. They spark ideas and help shoppers explore options they may not have considered. Shoppers don’t need to sift through endless possibilities—they can find gifts in seconds.
But Walmart didn’t stop there. The company has added GenAI-powered product reviews, summaries, and comparison tools to make decisions easier. Customers can quickly compare models side-by-side when shopping for a high-demand product, like a Smart TV.
With these tools, decision-making becomes more manageable. This is perfect for the holiday rush when time is of the essence. Walmart’s AI-driven enhancements are helping customers feel confident about their choices.
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club has also embraced AI to transform the in-store experience. This system combines AI with computer vision to scan and verify items as members exit, creating a smooth, frictionless checkout experience.
More than 64% of Sam’s Club members with this technology now enjoy a faster, hassle-free exit. The technology reduces checkout wait times by 21%, a game-changer for those juggling holiday shopping.
Meanwhile, Walmart has expanded its holiday delivery capabilities, reaching around 12 million additional U.S. households. This expansion relies on an AI-driven geospatial platform. Instead of traditional mileage-based zones, Walmart’s system creates unique delivery areas for each store.
This AI-powered system considers the availability of delivery slots, drive time, and store capacity. By optimizing its network, Walmart ensures more customers get their items on time.
In Mexico, select Bodega Aurrera stores are also improving delivery. These stores now offer more delivery windows for holiday items. This added convenience is made possible through a slot optimization model that factors in logistics like available pickers and store layout.
As a result, stores can fulfill more orders efficiently. This is perfect for holiday gatherings and large family dinners; customers enjoy greater flexibility and reliability.
Walmart has also introduced an improved Customer Support Assistant powered by GenAI. The upgraded assistant recognizes customers right from the start. It streamlines support by managing everyday tasks, like finding orders and processing returns.
With this upgrade, customers spend less time on hold or re-explaining their needs. Instead, they can quickly resolve issues and get back to celebrating. This AI-powered support is an essential part of Walmart’s holiday customer experience.
Walmart’s AI innovations reflect a shift in holiday shopping. The retailer uses these tools to make shopping less stressful and more enjoyable.
Every feature—from personalized recommendations to expanded delivery—is designed with convenience in mind.
As Walmart’s AI continues to evolve, it sets a new standard in the retail industry. Walmart’s commitment to technology shows how AI can transform holiday shopping into a stress-free experience.
Through AI, Walmart lets customers focus on what matters: spending time with loved ones. Holiday shopping is no longer a stressful chore but an experience of choice and convenience.
Walmart’s AI-driven tools create an easy, enjoyable shopping journey. Whether you’re exploring new gift ideas or rushing to finish holiday shopping, Walmart’s innovations help every step of the way.