Walmart will let customers use AI agents to shop on its website next month. Customers will be able to review and approve purchases, set spending limits and turn off an agent at any time.
The agents will connect to new Agent Profiles within Walmart accounts. By default, every agent purchase will need the customer’s approval. Customers can instead authorize an agent to shop within a budget, such as up to $100. Agent Profiles will show an agent’s purchases separately from the customer’s own.
Walmart sets rules for agents
Walmart says “agents must not take actions beyond what the shopper intends.” Its terms also prohibit agents from changing a customer’s payment method or accessing information beyond what they need for a task. Walmart says it will block agents that break those rules.
That approach contrasts with Amazon’s decision to block Perplexity’s shopping agent and Meta’s Muse AI assistant. Walmart is allowing agents to shop, provided they follow its terms.
An agent gateway connects to Walmart
Walmart has built an Agent Gateway, now in beta, that connects agents through the Model Context Protocol. The open standard lets AI agents connect to different web services. Walmart says the gateway helps agents shop without the problems they might encounter while navigating a browser.
Walmart also says the gateway keeps agents from accessing customers’ shopping histories and personal information. “For example, if a customer tends to buy sourdough bread or a particular brand of milk, Walmart will help the agent find those usual items for the customer without sharing the customer’s broader shopping history with the agent,” the company says.
Walmart says customers will be able to shop with AI agents on Sam’s Club as well. Agent shopping on Walmart’s website is set to begin next month.
