Walmart launches AI agent shopping tools as Amazon blocks automated purchases

On October 21, 2026, Walmart unveiled tools to enable third-party AI agents—such as Meta's Muse, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Google's Gemini—to shop on behalf of customers. Walmart introduced Agent Gateway and Agent Profiles, allowing shoppers to set spending caps like $50 or $200 and require approval for purchases. This open approach contrasts sharply with rival Amazon, which has actively blocked external AI shopping tools from its platform.

Walmart launches Agent Gateway

• ▪Walmart launched Agent Gateway, a new Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that connects approved AI agents like Meta's Muse, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Google's Gemini directly to inventory and checkout systems for Walmart and Sam's Club.
• ▪The Walmart Agent Gateway connects AI agents to Walmart's catalog without sharing customers' full shopping histories or direct personal information with the agent.
• ▪Walmart President and CEO John Furner announced the retailer's new AI agent tools at the Masters of Scale Summit in San Francisco on October 21, 2026.
• ▪Walmart outlined terms for AI agents operating on its site, barring agents from modifying payment methods or accessing card data, and applying Walmart's standard return process even when an agent acts unintendedly.

Walmart introduces Agent Profiles with controls

• ▪Walmart will roll out Agent Profiles, allowing customers to link each AI agent to a dedicated profile in their Walmart account to view agent transactions separately from human orders.
• ▪Walmart compared setting spending limits and approval controls on Agent Profiles to adding an authorized user to a credit card.
• ▪Agent Profiles will be created automatically the first time a user shops through Walmart Agent Gateway and do not require a paid Walmart+ membership.
• ▪Customers using Walmart Agent Profiles can require approval for every transaction or establish spending limits such as $50, $100, or $200 for autonomous agent purchases.

Amazon restricts third-party AI shopping tools

• ▪Amazon blocked third-party AI shopping tools including Meta's Muse, Perplexity's shopping agent, and agents from Google and OpenAI from perusing or making purchases on its marketplace.
• ▪GlobalData Retail analyst Neil Saunders stated that Amazon's blocking of AI agents reflects an effort to protect its closed ecosystem and advertising revenue from outside automated tools.
• ▪Amazon sued AI startup Perplexity in November 2025, accusing Perplexity of using its Comet browser agent to covertly execute purchases on Amazon's marketplace.

Tech companies release new AI agents

• ▪Anthropic released a preview of its background AI agent, Claude Duet, on October 21, 2026, capable of executing online purchases with user approval across connected applications.
• ▪Meta launched its Muse AI agent in September 2026, which Sensor Tower third-party data indicates has surpassed 10 million downloads in the United States and Canada.

Walmart e-commerce expansion

• ▪Walmart introduced its Sparky assistant in June 2025 and launched a four-super-agent framework that same year to integrate AI deeper into its shopping experience.
• ▪Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 24% year over year in Q2 2026, marking its 10th consecutive quarter with e-commerce growth exceeding 20%.

Walmart's Sparky assistant performance

• ▪Shoppers using Walmart's Sparky AI assistant generate 40% higher average order values and 57% improved conversion rates on visual searches.
• ▪Walmart U.S. CEO David Guggina stated in September 2026 that usage of Walmart's internal AI shopping assistant, Sparky, grew 60% quarter-over-quarter.

Shopper trust in AI assistants

• ▪University of Virginia business professor Luca Cian found that shoppers are more likely to trust AI to recommend practical products than items for pleasure or life experience.
• ▪According to Coveo's 2026 Commerce Relevance Report, 16% of shoppers feel comfortable allowing an AI assistant to find and buy products on their behalf.