Walmart Enables Direct AI Shopping via ChatGPT in New Jersey

Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to introduce a groundbreaking AI-driven shopping experience that allows customers to shop directly within ChatGPT using an "Instant Checkout" feature. This new approach, termed "agentic commerce," enables shoppers to engage in natural language conversations to plan meals, browse products, and complete purchases seamlessly, transforming traditional e-commerce by making shopping more personalized, proactive, and conversational. The initiative aims to meet customers where they already are, reducing the need to visit retailer websites and potentially reshaping the retail landscape much like e-commerce once did to physical storefronts. Walmart’s AI shopping experience is currently being rolled out in select regions, including New Jersey and Southern Maryland, with Walmart and Sam’s Club already leveraging AI for operations and customer service improvements. Other major retailers like Amazon are also advancing AI commerce with features like Amazon's "Buy For Me," indicating a broader industry shift towards integrating AI shopping agents. Experts view Walmart’s move as a pivotal moment in retail, highlighting how conversational commerce can increase engagement and conversion rates, especially for high-consideration purchases.