US multinational retailer Walmart has announced its plan to integrate advanced technologies, including AI, generative AI (genAI), augmented reality (AR) and immersive commerce, as part of its adaptive retail strategy.
The new technologies are designed to create hyper-personalised, convenient and engaging interactions across its stores, Sam’s Clubs, apps and virtual platforms.
The retailer has introduced Wallaby, a proprietary GenAI platform comprising retail-specific large language models (LLMs), to create customer-facing experiences.
This platform enables the retailer to combine it with other LLMs to create responses that are contextual and designed for the Walmart environment.
The system is designed to communicate in a natural tone.
Walmart also developed a content decision platform, which uses AI to curate shopping experiences customised for each individual.
This genAI-powered platform predicts the type of content customers would prefer, and is already in use on select sections of Walmart.com.
The technology is set to create a unique homepage for every shopper, simulating the experience of entering a store crafted just for them.
The company plans to launch this personalised online shopping experience in the US by the end of 2025.
It also intends to extend the underlying technology to Walmart International markets in Canada and Mexico for tailored item recommendations.
Walmart has also created an AR platform named Retina, which, along with immersive commerce application programming interfaces, generates thousands of 3D assets.
These innovations will transport the Walmart shopping experience into novel virtual social spaces, while also offering new opportunities for revenue generation.
Walmart global chief technology officer and chief development officer Suresh Kumar said: "A standard search bar is no longer the fastest path to purchase; rather we must use technology to adapt to customers' individual preferences and needs.
“At the heart of our platform strategy is developing common global core capabilities that are built once and deployed across Walmart US, Sam’s Club and Walmart International. As a global company with multiple business segments, this enables us to move with speed as we bring consistent experiences to all our customers and members.”
In September 2024, Walmart introduced Caroline’s Carts across its stores in multiple states to offer an inclusive and accessible shopping experience.
