Walmart Teams With OpenAI for Direct Purchases Within ChatGPT

Walmart announced Tuesday that it has struck a deal with OpenAI to allow shoppers to make purchases directly through artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT. With the move, the retail giant and largest U.S. grocer is trying to keep up with shifts in how consumers discover items to buy. Along with purchasing items they see on social media or products recommended by retailers, shoppers are increasingly going to ChatGPT or similar AI chatbots for gift ideas or help finding the best deals. Walmart did not disclose any financial terms of the deal, but OpenAI has previously said it will charge companies a fee for transactions completed through ChatGPT.

Total Retail's Take: Walmart is taking an aggressive approach to be a first mover in the agentic commerce world, first with its launch of an AI-powered shopping assistant on its app called Sparky and now this partnership with OpenAI to enable products from the retailer to be sold within ChatGPT. OpenAI introduced its new service, Instant Checkout, late last month.

While Walmart has been traditionally viewed as a legacy brick-and-mortar retailer, the company has pushed hard to be at the forefront of digital innovation. The retailer has consistently invested in digital channels to make its customers be able to more easily shop with Walmart, whether through its e-commerce site, app, online marketplace, and now extending into the realm of AI chatbots. This digital transformation has led to significant e-commerce growth for Walmart, including 25 percent YoY in Q2 FY26.