Retail superpower Walmart announced that it has partnered with Google to offer voice-controlled Google Assistant grocery shopping for customers. This announcement comes on the heels of voice-ordering innovator Amazon acquiring Whole Foods and declaring they were going to slash prices company-wide. The company has created a new command with Google Assistant so anytime someone says, “Hey Google, talk to Walmart” the user will automatically be taken to their virtual shopping cart. Right now, the function only allows for customers to voice-order fruit and basic groceries from Walmart. In the press release there was mention that this new feature will use AI to remember reoccurring orders and recommending it when people ask for that specific item.
The push for voice-ordering from Walmart and other retailers in the space is due in part to the recognition that shopping habits in the United States are shifting drastically. As more people have access to order through mobile devices and home assistant, the less there is a need for consumers to physically shop in-store. The dynamics of purchasing behavior is due to the connectivity of devices people are using every day. It’s important for companies and brands to adapt to rapidly changing purchasing habits of consumers.
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