By Eric J. Savitz
Walmart is going all-in on artificial intelligence software, a development which CEO Doug McMillon laid out during the retailer’s first-ever keynote address at the CES trade show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
“We build technology to serve people and not the other way around,” McMillon said in his speech at the Venetian. “Advances in technology make it feel like anything is possible…People, our customers and associates, come first and we’ll put technology to work to serve them better than ever.”
Among other things, the retail giant announced a new generative-AI-powered search experience on Apple iPhones. The new feature will allow shoppers to search by specific user cases — like holding a Super Bowl watch party, and searching for wings, beer, and a big-screen TV.
Walmart also disclosed another new feature, not yet available, called Walmart InHome Replenishment. The service will allow perishable goods purchased on a subscription basis to be delivered directly to customer refrigerators in a kitchen or garage.
Another new feature that is now in beta testing is called Shop with Friends. It will allow customers to share with friends virtual outfits created with augmented reality software and to get feedback.
The company’s Sam’s Club wholesale club unit announced a new application that uses AI and computer vision technology to solve a key annoyance for customers — waiting in line for receipt verification when exiting the store.
Walmart also said it is expanding drone delivery to 1.8 million households in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company said about 75% of items in a typical Supercenter store meet the size and weight requirements for drone delivery.
Write to Eric J. Savitz at eric.savitz@barrons.com