Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing, shifting the landscape of marketing and sales towards unconventional avenues as it becomes more prevalent. Anshu Bhardwaj, the senior vice president and chief operating officer at Walmart Global Technology and Walmart Commerce Technologies, highlighted this trend at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show convention in New York City on Jan. 14.
Bhardwaj emphasized the transformative impact of AI on retail, envisioning a future where businesses can engage with customers in more personalized and efficient ways. She specifically mentioned the growing significance of ChatGPT in revolutionizing marketing strategies, propelling retailers from omnichannel approaches to adaptive retailing. This evolution allows retailers to cater to individual preferences and needs seamlessly, meeting customers at their convenience.
One notable innovation she discussed was Walmart’s “Text to Shop” feature, launched in December 2022, which enables customers to conveniently add items to their cart and place orders through text messages. By simplifying the shopping experience into a conversational interaction, customers can effortlessly browse and purchase products like never before.
Moreover, Walmart is leveraging AI language models to enhance its search engine capabilities, as demonstrated by CEO Doug McMillon at the recent CES tech convention in Las Vegas. The new search engine empowers shoppers to make vague inquiries, such as “football watch party,” and receive tailored product recommendations spanning categories like snacks and beverages.
Through these advancements, Walmart is embracing the era of AI-driven retail, ushering in a new era of adaptive and customer-centric shopping experiences that blur the lines between online and offline interactions.
