Google, Walmart Team Up To Bring AI Shopping Inside Gemini

Google has taken a major step toward changing the way people shop online by turning its Gemini chatbot into a full-fledged shopping assistant — and now, even a checkout counter.

On Sunday, the tech giant announced partnerships with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and several other major retailers to expand Gemini’s shopping features. The move will allow users to search for products, get recommendations, and in many cases, complete purchases without leaving the chat window.

The announcement was made on the opening day of the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York, a major event that brings together nearly 40,000 leaders from retail and technology industries. This year, artificial intelligence and its growing role in e-commerce are dominating discussions.

Shopping Without Leaving The Chat

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of instant checkout. With this feature, customers will be able to buy products directly inside the Gemini app using payment methods linked to their Google accounts.

Walmart confirmed that users who connect their Walmart and Google accounts will get personalized recommendations based on their shopping history. Items purchased through Gemini can also be added directly to their existing Walmart or Sam’s Club online carts.

For example, if someone asks Gemini what gear they need for a winter ski trip, the chatbot will suggest items pulled directly from partner retailers’ inventories. Users can then compare, select and buy those items in the same conversation.

Retail’s Next Big Shift

Walmart’s incoming president and CEO, John Furner, called this a major turning point for online shopping.

“The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail,” he said in a joint statement with Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai.

The idea is simple: instead of typing keywords into a search bar and jumping between websites, shoppers can now have a conversation, refine their needs, and complete purchases in one place.

A Growing Tech Race

Google is not alone in this race. OpenAI and Amazon are also pushing toward AI-powered shopping experiences.

Last October, OpenAI and Walmart announced a similar partnership that allows ChatGPT users to shop from Walmart’s catalog using instant checkout, excluding fresh groceries. Before the recent holiday season, OpenAI rolled out its own in-chat purchase feature with select retailers and Etsy sellers.

According to Salesforce, AI influenced around $272 billion, or 20% of global retail sales, during the latest holiday shopping season — showing just how fast this technology is reshaping consumer habits.

Payments And Availability

Initially, Gemini’s shopping and checkout features will be available only in the United States. Shoppers will first be able to pay using cards linked to their Google accounts, with PayPal support coming soon. Google has said it plans to expand the service to other countries in the coming months.

Human Control Still Comes First

Shopify founder and CEO Tobi Lütke said that while many customers like the idea of having a “personal shopper” powered by technology, the company does not want to over-automate the experience.

“The shopper is still in charge and makes the final call,” he said, adding that the goal is to help people find the right product without taking control away from them.

PayPal executive Mike Edmonds also warned retailers not to wait too long to adapt, even though this shift won’t happen overnight.

Walmart’s Bigger Plans

At the same event, Walmart and Google also announced plans to expand drone delivery services. In partnership with Alphabet’s Wing, Walmart will add drone delivery to 150 more stores. This will bring the total to 270 locations by 2027, covering areas from Los Angeles to Miami.

Walmart’s Furner summed up the company’s goal simply: to “close the gap between ‘I want it’ and ‘I have it’” using technology.