Walmart is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to improve in-store engagement and increase spending. The retailer has introduced six AI-enabled tools on its app, aiming to create faster trips and more organized shopping journeys. Since Walmart reports that app-using in-store shoppers spend significantly more than other shoppers, the company expects these features to play an important role in boosting store visits and customer satisfaction.
Tools Designed to Improve Convenience
The new In-Store Savings tool lets customers find discounts with one tap. It also displays Black Friday deals, rollbacks, and clearance offers. Because shoppers can filter items by category and compare prices on a single screen, the feature reduces search time and encourages quicker purchase decisions. Walmart’s focus on convenience reflects changing expectations among shoppers who want simpler, more personalized experiences.
Enhanced Search and Store Navigation
Another new tool allows in-store customers to search for items the same way they would while shopping online. After selecting a product, the app shows real-time availability and pinpoint aisle locations. This speeds up shopping and reduces the frustration of searching through multiple departments.
Improved Wish List Integration
Walmart has redesigned its wish list tool for better in-store use. Shoppers can create and save lists at home, then sort them automatically by aisle once they enter the store. This reduces extra walking and supports customers who need quick and organized shopping sessions during busy periods.
AI Support for Event and Party Planning
Sparky, Walmart’s generative AI assistant, can now curate shopping lists for parties and events. Customers only need to mention the occasion, and Sparky instantly builds a full list of suggested items. The feature turns event planning into a simple, guided process that saves time and effort.
AI-Generated Audio Summaries
Walmart has also introduced AI-powered audio summaries for select beauty products. These short clips combine product descriptions and customer reviews into a digestible format. Because shoppers can listen while moving through the store, the feature helps them decide faster when buying gifts or premium items.
Augmented Reality and 3D Showrooms
The app’s new interactive 3D showrooms use AI and augmented reality to rework product images into immersive visual spaces. Shoppers can explore bedrooms, dining rooms, and living areas, then click on items in the scene to add them to their carts. The experience blends physical retail with digital tools to create a smoother decision-making process.
Walmart’s Vision for the Holiday Season
Tracy Poulliot, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Shopping Experiences, said the goal is to make holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable. She noted that AI creates faster, more supportive journeys for both in-store and at-home shoppers. Walmart expects these tools to reduce stress during peak seasons and make the app more important to customers.
Shoppers Increasingly Use Mobile Tools
According to the Spar Shopper Insights Survey, 40 percent of U.S. adults use their phones regularly when shopping in-store. The survey also shows that mobile coupons, loyalty programs, self-checkout, scan-and-go systems, and store mapping remain the most attractive technologies for today’s shoppers. These insights align with Walmart’s decision to invest in features that guide customers through the store and accelerate their shopping routines.
Retailers Competing Through Digital Convenience
As AI becomes central to retail, Walmart aims to stay ahead by merging physical shopping with advanced digital tools. The company’s technology strategy focuses on speed, personalization, and reduced friction. Because U.S. shoppers rely heavily on mobile devices for store navigation, Walmart believes its new features can lift in-store spending and strengthen customer loyalty.
