We all know artificial intelligence is everywhere now. But beyond writing emails or helping your kid with homework, there’s one space where AI is quietly transforming everything—retail. Companies like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and others aren’t just playing with chatbots anymore. They’re investing heavily in generative AI to change how we shop, from the moment you search for something to how it’s delivered to your door.
They’re not just making things faster. They’re redesigning aisles, rethinking promotions, and giving customer service a complete AI makeover.
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Retail
Since generative AI tools like ChatGPT hit the scene, retailers realized this wasn’t just some nerdy toy—it could be a game-changer. And they moved fast. Now, instead of just browsing a website, you’re interacting with AI assistants that can guide you through purchases, make personalized recommendations, plan events, and even build your shopping cart for you.
This isn’t just automation. It’s the beginning of a new interface for commerce—conversation.
More than half of shoppers say they’ll use AI to compare prices or find deals, especially during high-spending seasons like the holidays. So it’s not a question of if AI will dominate retail—it’s just a matter of when.
Walmart
Walmart is going big with its AI assistant “Sparky.” Sparky does it all: helps you plan parties, recommends products, summarizes reviews, and even builds shopping lists. And if that’s not enough, Walmart also rolled out 3D showrooms and audio descriptions to make online shopping more immersive.
And yes, they went one step further—they partnered with OpenAI so that you can shop directly from ChatGPT. Just ask, and your cart fills itself.
Target
Target isn’t staying behind. They’ve integrated generative AI into their site with ChatGPT, so you can chat your way through a grocery list or ask for gift ideas.
One of the coolest features? You can upload a handwritten list, and the AI will convert it into a digital cart. It even helps you choose your delivery options on the go.
Amazon
Amazon introduced its own assistant in 2024—Rufus. It’s like Siri, but for shopping. It answers questions, suggests deals, helps with comparisons, and tailors offers to your behavior.
And guess what? It already has over 250 million active users. That’s a lot of people letting AI guide their purchases.
Amazon’s goal is to make shopping feel effortless—maybe even so smooth you don’t realize you’re spending.
eBay
eBay has its own AI agent that assists during your entire shopping experience. It helps you search, filter, and find exactly what you need. Behind the scenes, they’ve also built their own language models to help users complete tasks like listing or buying more easily.
They’re not just upgrading the store—they’re upgrading how you interact with it.
Abercrombie
Abercrombie & Fitch is using AI to reach people outside their site. Through a partnership with PayPal, you can now browse and shop through external apps like Perplexity.
The idea? Don’t wait for users to come to you. Go where they already are—and make it easy to shop from there.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s launched Mylow, an AI assistant that gives you DIY instructions, product ideas, and even real-time availability. It’s like having a personal consultant for your home remodel. And it’s popular—Mylow answers nearly one million questions per month.
That’s a lot of confused homeowners getting a digital helping hand.
Home Depot
Home Depot stepped up for the pros. Their tool, Blueprint Takeoffs, turns construction blueprints into materials lists, price estimates, and project timelines.
This is a huge time-saver for contractors and remodelers who don’t want to spend hours guessing or plugging numbers into Excel.
Here’s a quick comparison of the major retailers using AI:
| Company | AI Assistant | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Sparky | Product help, 3D showroom, ChatGPT integration |
| Target | ChatGPT-based | Handwritten list scanner, gift suggestions |
| Amazon | Rufus | Personalized offers, 250M+ users |
| eBay | In-house agent | AI search, personal assistant |
| Abercrombie | Perplexity link | Shop via external apps |
| Lowe’s | Mylow | DIY guidance, 1M+ questions/month |
| Home Depot | Blueprint Takeoffs | Converts plans into costs, timelines |
Shift
So what’s the real shift here? Retailers are no longer just trying to build faster websites. They’re creating entire conversational ecosystems—where AI becomes your shopping buddy, your planner, and your checkout assistant all in one.
And it’s not just about improving your experience. These AI tools are also helping businesses cut costs, speed up transactions, and boost loyalty.
They know that if your shopping is personalized and frictionless, you’ll come back again—and probably spend more.
Do you use any of these AI assistants when you shop? If not, it might be time to try one. They’re not perfect, but they’re fast, smart, and getting better every day.
FAQs
What is Walmart’s AI called?
Sparky. It helps with shopping, planning, and reviews.
How does Target use AI?
Target uses ChatGPT for lists, gift ideas, and delivery options.
Who uses Amazon’s Rufus?
Over 250 million people use Rufus for shopping help.
Can I shop using ChatGPT?
Yes! Walmart partnered with OpenAI for direct ChatGPT shopping.
What does Lowe’s AI do?
Mylow gives project advice and answers 1M+ monthly questions.
