Walmart Inc. has forged a strategic partnership with Alphabet Inc. to bring AI-enhanced shopping experiences to Google's Gemini platform, marking another significant step in the retail giant's technology transformation. The collaboration will enable customers to make direct purchases through Gemini's browser and mobile applications, representing a fundamental shift in how consumers interact with retail platforms.

Partnership Details and Product Offerings

According to David Guggina, chief e-commerce officer of Walmart US, the new shopping feature will launch in the coming months with a comprehensive product selection. The initial offering will encompass multiple categories across both Walmart and Sam's Club inventories.

Customers will be able to build shopping baskets and complete purchases directly within the Gemini platform, with Walmart managing the fulfillment and order processing. The company plans to expand the product assortment over time to include fresh, frozen, and marketplace items.

AI-Driven Shopping Experience

The partnership introduces sophisticated AI capabilities that go beyond traditional e-commerce interactions. Customers can request recommendations and tips from Gemini, such as inquiring about the most recommended running shoes. The AI platform will respond with relevant product suggestions, including items available at Walmart and Sam's Club, which users can purchase immediately.

Gemini's advanced algorithms will assess purchasing intent from various types of queries. For example, a customer asking about wine stain removal from a rug could receive links to related cleaning products available at Walmart, seamlessly connecting problem-solving conversations to relevant product offerings.

Strategic Vision and Market Position

"We are moving past the era of the search bar," Guggina explained. "We aren't just meeting people where they shop, we're anticipating how they live." This philosophy reflects Walmart's broader strategy to create more intuitive, personalized shopping experiences through artificial intelligence.

The Alphabet partnership represents one component of Walmart's multi-faceted AI strategy. The retailer is simultaneously working with OpenAI on a separate initiative that allows shoppers to purchase items through ChatGPT, though Guggina noted this collaboration remains in "very early days."

Industry Trends and Competitive Landscape

Walmart's AI initiatives align with broader industry trends as artificial intelligence increasingly influences consumer shopping behaviors. Shoppers are progressively using AI technology to research products and compare deals, prompting retailers to develop new partnership strategies.

Other major retailers are pursuing similar technological partnerships. Target Corp. is collaborating with OpenAI to enhance both customer shopping experiences and employee operations, with the goal of "weaving AI throughout the business." This competitive landscape reflects the industry's recognition of AI's transformative potential across retail operations.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company continues to leverage its market position and scale advantages as consumers seek value-oriented shopping options. Walmart's comprehensive approach to AI integration spans from supply-chain management to customer-facing applications, positioning the company to capitalize on evolving consumer preferences and technological capabilities.

Walmart Inc. will join the prestigious Nasdaq 100 Index on January 20, 2025, as AstraZeneca Plc exits during the annual rebalancing, Nasdaq Global Indexes announced on Friday, January 9. The change will take effect before market opens on January 20, with US markets closed on January 19 for a holiday.

Index Changes and Timeline

The addition follows Walmart's historic decision to shift its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to Nasdaq, representing the largest exchange transfer on record. The Nasdaq-100 Index tracks the performance of 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock market across diverse industries and sectors.

Walmart's Market Performance

The US-based multinational retail corporation has demonstrated remarkable growth, with its market value climbing above ₹77,000 crores ($920 billion). This surge stems from strong sales growth and market share gains as consumers increasingly turn toward lower-priced essentials.

Walmart has significantly expanded its digital operations, with its e-commerce business in the United States expected to report profitability this year. The company has also experienced growth in advertising, marketplace and membership revenue streams. Recent technological advancements include increased use of artificial intelligence across internal operations for scheduling and supply-chain management, plus AI-powered shopping tools developed in partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

AstraZeneca's Market Decline

AstraZeneca's exit represents a continued retreat from its pandemic-era peak, when the success of its Covid-19 vaccine propelled the drugmaker into the Nasdaq 100. The pharmaceutical company's shares have since underperformed as vaccine-related revenue diminished and investor attention shifted toward obesity treatments being developed by rivals including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

Nasdaq 100 Index Significance

The Nasdaq 100 serves as a benchmark for hundreds of billions of dollars worth of investment products globally. As of December 2025, more than ₹50,000 crores ($600 billion) in assets tracked the index through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including the widely followed ₹34,000 crores ($408 billion) Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1.

The index demonstrated strong performance with a notable gain of approximately 21.00% on a total-return basis in 2025, outperforming both the S&P 500's 18.00% rise and the Dow Jones Industrial Average's 16.00% gain during the same period. Walmart's institutional backing includes major investors such as Vanguard Group and BlackRock, positioning the company well for its Nasdaq 100 inclusion.