## Walmart Partners with OpenAI for Direct Purchases via ChatGPT **News Title:** Walmart teams up with OpenAI to allow purchases directly in ChatGPT **Report Provider:** CNBC (Authors: Melissa Repko, Ashley Capoot) **Publication Date:** October 14, 2025 ### Key Information and Interpretation: Walmart has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, the creator of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the e-commerce shopping experience by enabling shoppers to make purchases directly through ChatGPT. **Core Findings and Conclusions:** * **Shift in Consumer Discovery:** Walmart recognizes a significant shift in how consumers discover and purchase items. Beyond traditional search bars and social media recommendations, shoppers are increasingly turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for gift ideas and deal hunting. * **Revolutionizing E-commerce:** Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated that the traditional e-commerce model of a "search bar and a long list of item responses" is "about to change." The new AI-powered feature is envisioned to be "multi-media, personalized and contextual," promising a more "enjoyable and convenient future." * **OpenAI's Instant Checkout:** This partnership leverages OpenAI's new "Instant Checkout" feature, initially announced in late September. This feature will allow users to buy items directly within the ChatGPT interface. * **Phased Rollout:** While the exact launch date for Walmart purchases on ChatGPT was not disclosed, OpenAI's initial announcement of Instant Checkout mentioned support for single-item purchases from Etsy sellers. It also indicated that over one million Shopify merchants, including prominent brands like Skims and Glossier, would be integrated "soon." * **New Revenue Stream for OpenAI:** The Instant Checkout feature represents a new moneymaker for OpenAI. While financial terms of the Walmart deal were not revealed, OpenAI has previously stated it will charge companies a fee for transactions completed through ChatGPT. * **Walmart's Existing AI Efforts:** This collaboration complements Walmart's existing AI initiatives, such as its AI-powered shopping assistant on its app called "Sparky." **Significant Trends and Changes:** * **AI Integration in Retail:** The partnership signifies a major step towards integrating advanced AI directly into the retail purchasing funnel, moving beyond mere product discovery. * **Personalized and Contextual Shopping:** The emphasis on "multi-media, personalized and contextual" experiences suggests a move away from generic product listings towards highly tailored shopping journeys facilitated by AI. * **Evolution of E-commerce Interfaces:** The traditional search-and-list model is being challenged by more conversational and interactive AI interfaces. **Notable Risks or Concerns:** * **User Adoption:** The success of this initiative will depend on how readily consumers adopt purchasing directly through a chatbot interface. * **Data Privacy and Security:** As with any AI-driven transaction system, concerns around data privacy and the security of financial information will be paramount. * **Implementation Challenges:** Integrating a seamless and reliable checkout process across a vast retail inventory and an external AI platform could present technical challenges. **Material Financial Data:** * **Financial Terms Undisclosed:** Walmart did not disclose any financial terms of its deal with OpenAI. * **OpenAI's Fee Structure:** OpenAI will charge companies a fee for transactions completed through ChatGPT. **Key Dates:** * **October 14, 2025:** Walmart announced the deal with OpenAI. * **Late September 2025:** OpenAI first announced the Instant Checkout feature.
Walmart teams up with OpenAI to allow purchases directly in ChatGPT
Read original at CNBC →Serene Lee | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesWalmart said Tuesday it has struck a deal with OpenAI to allow shoppers to make faster purchases directly through artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT.With the move, the retail giant and largest U.S. grocer is trying to keep up with changes 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."For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a news release.
"That is about to change."He said the AI feature will be "multi-media, personalized and contextual," adding that Walmart is "running towards that more enjoyable and convenient future."The company did not say when shoppers would be able to start buying Walmart items on ChatGPT.In late September, OpenAI first announced the Instant Checkout feature that will soon allow shoppers to buy items through Walmart, and said it would initially support single-item purchases from Etsy sellers.
OpenAI said at the time that more than one million Shopify merchants, including Skims and Glossier, would be coming soon.The Instant Checkout feature is a new moneymaker for OpenAI. 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.
Along with the OpenAI deal, Walmart has an AI-powered shopping assistant on its app called Sparky.— CNBC's Ashley Capoot contributed to this report.




