Walmart has unveiled a generative AI-powered assistant to assist its merchants in sourcing products for physical shelves and the online marketplace.
Named Wally, the new AI tool processes complex data sets to provide insights, diagnose performance issues with products and respond to operational inquiries.
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The new technology also flags unresolved matters and streamlines intricate calculations and forecasts.
The Wally tool requires no specialised technical knowledge and merchants can interact with it through simple queries and receive instant, actionable feedback.
This innovation aims to eliminate the heavy process of manual reporting, enabling merchants to concentrate on ensuring customers have access to the desired products efficiently.
“Wally is not just about automating mundane tasks; it’s a strategic asset that empowers our merchants to dedicate more time to creative and innovative pursuits that elevate the shopping experience and align with the changing expectations of our customers,” the retailer stated.
The company plans to refine Wally continuously, taking cues from merchant feedback and requirements.
The goal is to allow the tool to operate independently within set parameters, executing tactical measures to realise merchants’ strategies effectively.
The introduction of Wally comes after Walmart disclosed its strategy to progress Adaptive Retail, a new retail paradigm characterised by highly personalised experiences tailored to meet customer preferences in various contexts.
The retailer has been investing in technologies including proprietary AI, generative AI (genAI), augmented reality and immersive commerce platforms.
In November 2024, Walmart employed AI and genAI tools to streamline holiday shopping.
