Walmart opens platform to third-party AI shopping agents

Walmart announced it will permit third-party personal agents to access its platform starting next month. This decision marks a significant shift from the company's earlier reliance on its proprietary shopping agent, Sparky. Customers will be able to link their agent accounts with configurable spending limits. The policy includes strict terms requiring agents to act only within shopper intent, prohibiting modification of payment methods, and mandating default purchase approval. Non-compliant agents will be banned, while compliant ones will retain access to standard returns policies even if mistakes occur.

This strategy follows a division in corporate America regarding agentic commerce. Shopify has welcomed agents, while Amazon, JPMorgan, and Bank of America have rejected them due to competitive or financial risks. Walmart's approach is informed by internal data showing that Sparky users have order values 40% higher than non-agentic shoppers. Additionally, Meta reported that one quarter of active Muse users use the agent for shopping, with an average purchase value of $200. These figures indicate high-value early adoption of agentic commerce, suggesting that Walmart's decision reflects a strategic pivot to capture these customers regardless of the agent provider.