Walmart Report Highlights Agentic AI Transforming Retail
Consumers trust AI recommendations almost as much as influencers, with speed and privacy at the forefront
In a significant new development, Walmart released its "Retail Rewired Report 2025," revealing how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly "agentic AI," is fundamentally changing retail and consumer shopping behaviors. Authored by Desiree Gosby, Walmart's Senior Vice President for Tech Strategy and Emerging Tech, the report underscores AI's shift from being a novelty to an essential, practical tool in daily shopping experiences.
The New Face of Influence
According to Walmart’s findings, 27 percent of shoppers now prefer AI-based recommendations over traditional influencer endorsements, which sit at 24 percent. This closing trust gap shows that AI is no longer seen as a futuristic gimmick but as a practical resource. Instead of flashy or experimental applications, shoppers value AI for everyday tasks: comparing prices, checking product availability, monitoring shipping timelines, and sending alerts on price drops. By focusing on utility, AI wins shoppers’ confidence through real help rather than hype.
Also Read: Retailers Lost £464 Million Due to Missing Parcels in Peak Shopping Season
Speed and Efficiency Drive Choices
Speed remains the most valuable currency in retail. The report found that 69 percent of respondents regard the pace of their shopping experience as very or somewhat important when deciding where to shop. AI tools play a crucial role in streamlining online searches and personalized recommendations, making it easier for shoppers to find what they want quickly. As these technologies improve, AI could feel less like a separate tool and more like a trusted companion guiding consumers through each step.
Balancing Privacy and Control
While many consumers admit they remain “late adopters” of technology, they interact with AI more often than they realize. Still, this comfort comes with caution. Shoppers want transparency about how their data is used and shared. In the survey:
• 27 percent of respondents demand clear information on data use and third-party involvement.
• 26 percent want strong controls over what personal information is shared.
• 25 percent insist that only minimal, non-sensitive data be collected.
These figures make it clear that trust hinges on privacy. Consumers may welcome AI suggestions for everyday purchases, but they will hesitate when making high-stakes or emotionally significant decisions—like buying furniture or groceries—without a human voice of reassurance. Nearly half (46 percent) say they are either somewhat unlikely or very unlikely to let a digital assistant handle an entire shopping trip. AI can guide, but shoppers still want to make the final decision themselves.
Human-in-the-Loop: AI with Oversight
Walmart’s report finds that shoppers want AI to act as a helpful advisor rather than a fully autonomous agent. Even as more people use AI to narrow down options, they expect human oversight at key moments. This human-in-the-loop approach satisfies consumers’ desire for speed without sacrificing the personal touch. Retailers that combine AI recommendations with human customer service are likely to gain the most trust from shoppers.
Walmart’s Retail Rewired Report 2025 makes one thing clear: agentic AI is no longer an experiment. It is reshaping consumer expectations and retail strategies by delivering speed, convenience, and personalization. Yet success depends on balancing innovation with transparency, privacy, and human oversight. As AI continues to evolve, Walmart’s Digital Citizenship team will ensure that emerging technologies serve real human needs—delivering convenience without compromise, speed without risk, and personalization with control. The next era of retail will be defined not by the power of AI itself, but by how effectively it meets the everyday expectations of shoppers.
Also Read: Basket Abandonment Costs UK Online Retailers £38 Billion in 2024
ChannelMAX offers Amazon Repricer that runs on the latest AI Repricing algorithm to do Amazon Pricing Management or Amazon Repricing. Based on Amazon SP API, the repricing engine or repricer runs 24/7 and efficiently manages Amazon prices to maximize your BuyBox with profit optimization. Established in 2005, ChannelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Amazon Repricer, 2ndly, ChannelMAX Amazon FBA Audits and FBA Refunds management, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which sellers deserve appropriate credit reimbursement from Amazon. ChannelMAX Services offer Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their daytoday business.
Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.
By ChannelMAX Staff Writer
Jun-2025#03
In a significant new development, Walmart released its "Retail Rewired Report 2025," revealing how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly "agentic AI," is fundamentally changing retail and consumer shopping behaviors. Authored by Desiree Gosby, Walmart's Senior Vice President for Tech Strategy and Emerging Tech, the report underscores AI's shift from being a novelty to an essential, practical tool in daily shopping experiences.
The New Face of Influence
According to Walmart’s findings, 27 percent of shoppers now prefer AI-based recommendations over traditional influencer endorsements, which sit at 24 percent. This closing trust gap shows that AI is no longer seen as a futuristic gimmick but as a practical resource. Instead of flashy or experimental applications, shoppers value AI for everyday tasks: comparing prices, checking product availability, monitoring shipping timelines, and sending alerts on price drops. By focusing on utility, AI wins shoppers’ confidence through real help rather than hype.
Also Read: Retailers Lost £464 Million Due to Missing Parcels in Peak Shopping Season
Speed and Efficiency Drive Choices
Speed remains the most valuable currency in retail. The report found that 69 percent of respondents regard the pace of their shopping experience as very or somewhat important when deciding where to shop. AI tools play a crucial role in streamlining online searches and personalized recommendations, making it easier for shoppers to find what they want quickly. As these technologies improve, AI could feel less like a separate tool and more like a trusted companion guiding consumers through each step.
Balancing Privacy and Control
While many consumers admit they remain “late adopters” of technology, they interact with AI more often than they realize. Still, this comfort comes with caution. Shoppers want transparency about how their data is used and shared. In the survey:
• 27 percent of respondents demand clear information on data use and third-party involvement.
• 26 percent want strong controls over what personal information is shared.
• 25 percent insist that only minimal, non-sensitive data be collected.
These figures make it clear that trust hinges on privacy. Consumers may welcome AI suggestions for everyday purchases, but they will hesitate when making high-stakes or emotionally significant decisions—like buying furniture or groceries—without a human voice of reassurance. Nearly half (46 percent) say they are either somewhat unlikely or very unlikely to let a digital assistant handle an entire shopping trip. AI can guide, but shoppers still want to make the final decision themselves.
Human-in-the-Loop: AI with Oversight
Walmart’s report finds that shoppers want AI to act as a helpful advisor rather than a fully autonomous agent. Even as more people use AI to narrow down options, they expect human oversight at key moments. This human-in-the-loop approach satisfies consumers’ desire for speed without sacrificing the personal touch. Retailers that combine AI recommendations with human customer service are likely to gain the most trust from shoppers.
Walmart’s Retail Rewired Report 2025 makes one thing clear: agentic AI is no longer an experiment. It is reshaping consumer expectations and retail strategies by delivering speed, convenience, and personalization. Yet success depends on balancing innovation with transparency, privacy, and human oversight. As AI continues to evolve, Walmart’s Digital Citizenship team will ensure that emerging technologies serve real human needs—delivering convenience without compromise, speed without risk, and personalization with control. The next era of retail will be defined not by the power of AI itself, but by how effectively it meets the everyday expectations of shoppers.
Also Read: Basket Abandonment Costs UK Online Retailers £38 Billion in 2024
Disclaimer:
Amazon is the registered trademark of the e-commerce brand.
ChannelMAX offers Amazon Repricer that runs on the latest AI Repricing algorithm to do Amazon Pricing Management or Amazon Repricing. Based on Amazon SP API, the repricing engine or repricer runs 24/7 and efficiently manages Amazon prices to maximize your BuyBox with profit optimization. Established in 2005, ChannelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Amazon Repricer, 2ndly, ChannelMAX Amazon FBA Audits and FBA Refunds management, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which sellers deserve appropriate credit reimbursement from Amazon. ChannelMAX Services offer Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their daytoday business.
Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.