Walmart is shaking things up with the introduction of ‘Wally,’ their innovative AI assistant designed to make life easier for their merchants. If you’re part of the team responsible for stocking those shelves, whether in-store or online, you’re in for a treat. ‘Wally’ uses cutting-edge generative AI to sift through complex data, spot product performance issues, and even handle those pesky operational questions. It’s like having a super-smart assistant who’s always got your back.
According to a blog post from Walmart dated March 18, ‘Wally’ allows merchants to ask questions and get actionable insights in mere seconds. Imagine not having to wade through endless reports—AI takes care of that, freeing you up to focus on what you do best: getting the right products to customers at just the right time.
Built on Walmart’s own data infrastructure, ‘Wally’ features a semantic layer that interprets complex data patterns, meeting the unique needs of Walmart’s merchandising operations. And Walmart isn’t stopping here—they’re committed to refining ‘Wally’ with feedback from merchants, aiming for a future where ‘Wally’ can work autonomously on your behalf.
The response from Walmart’s merchant community has been overwhelmingly positive. But as CEO Doug McMillon pointed out in August, Walmart is just getting started with generative AI. They’re using it to enhance product catalogs, boost search capabilities, introduce a new shopping assistant, and support marketplace sellers. “We’re finding tangible ways to leverage generative AI to improve the customer, member, and associate experience,” McMillon said during an earnings call on August 15.
Generative AI is quickly becoming a game-changer in retail. A report by PYMNTS Intelligence and AI-ID collaboration highlights that 77% of business leaders see it as the most impactful emerging technology. By 2024, AI’s role in retail will have shifted from experimental to essential.
Walmart isn’t alone in this journey. Amazon has launched ‘Rufus,’ their GenAI-powered shopping assistant, and Target is testing a chatbot to help staff with operational queries. These initiatives underscore the transformative power of AI in retail.
