With the arrival of special seasons, many brands are unveiling their strategies to captivate consumers. This year, Walmart has transformed the holiday shopping experience through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) tools, making the entire process faster and more convenient, from product discovery to delivery and returns.

The use of technology continues to be a key strategy for brands. According to Statista, AI is one of the tech sectors with the greatest economic projection, with a market value expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026.

How Walmart is Leveraging AI for the Holidays

AI is driving a highly personalized holiday shopping experience. When customers visit Walmart’s website, AI technologies understand their preferences, while GenAI predicts the type of content they may find appealing. In the United States, if a customer previously searched for board games, they may see offers, new releases, or gift suggestions.

Additionally, GenAI helps customers discover the most suitable products. Walmart is expanding the beta test of its GenAI-powered shopping assistant, enabling customers to evaluate and decide on the best product for their specific needs. Acting like a real shopping assistant, this tool engages in natural, fluid conversations, helping customers feel confident in their purchases.

The GenAI search experience on Walmart.com and the Walmart app allows for specific queries, such as “What is a good gift for a five-year-old?” This generates more relevant and cross-category results, such as a sweater, a book, and a soccer ball, offering customers gift ideas they might not have discovered using traditional search functions.

Enhanced Payment and Shopping Experiences at Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club has rolled out AI and computer vision-powered checkout technology across all its locations. This technology scans items as members exit the club, automatically verifying their purchases. It significantly reduces wait times, providing a seamless checkout experience for members. In clubs where the technology is implemented, over 64% of members enjoy a hassle-free exit, leaving 21% faster.

Additionally, approximately 12 million more U.S. households will benefit from expanded delivery coverage thanks to an AI-driven geospatial platform. This technology optimizes delivery zones based on factors like travel time and store capacity, rather than traditional mileage-based areas.

Walmart’s newly updated GenAI-powered customer service assistant recognizes customers from the start and goes beyond understanding their intentions by performing actions like searching for orders and managing returns. These integrations of AI and GenAI are transforming the holiday shopping experience, making it easier, faster, and more personalized. This season, shoppers will spend less time searching and more time enjoying other activities thanks to these innovative AI-driven tools.

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