Stock jumps on AI-powered retail announcement
Walmart shares climbed nearly 1% on Wednesday after gaining 5% the previous day, closing at $107.21. The boost followed news of a new partnership with OpenAI that will let customers shop directly through ChatGPT. Users will also be able to interact with the chatbot on Walmart and Sam’s Club websites.
“For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses,” said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. “That is about to change.”
OpenAI expands into mainstream consumer commerce
The collaboration is part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to embed its technology across a wide range of industries. While much of its attention has centered on partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft, this Walmart deal shows OpenAI’s growing influence on everyday consumer experiences.
The integration enables shoppers to use conversational queries instead of traditional search boxes, offering a more intuitive way to browse and buy. It brings AI deeper into the workflows of one of the world’s largest retailers, expanding its footprint far beyond Silicon Valley.
Agentic AI redefines online shopping
The move signals a shift toward agentic AI — systems capable of performing tasks on behalf of users with minimal input. In Walmart’s case, customers may soon be able to ask ChatGPT to find, compare, and purchase items based on preferences or constraints like budget or delivery time.
According to Business Insider reporters Dominick Reuter and Katherline Li, this kind of AI-driven shopping assistant could change how millions of Americans interact with e-commerce platforms, moving from reactive browsing to proactive task completion.
Retail innovation with real-world reach
Walmart’s rollout of ChatGPT tools shows how AI is evolving from back-end efficiency gains into front-facing customer experiences. It also puts pressure on competitors to accelerate similar integrations to stay relevant in the fast-moving retail AI space.
As generative AI continues to influence industries from banking to logistics, retail stands out as one of the most visible frontiers for daily interaction. Walmart’s AI push underscores the commercial importance of staying ahead in a race that is as much about convenience as it is about innovation.
