The company announced the mutual arrangement in a blog post yesterday. Describing the coming launch as an “exciting partnership,” Google said it’s expanding its Express service to include Walmart based on user feedback.
Google Express lets you shop with the Google Assistant. You can tell the Assistant to order products for you using just your voice. The AI helps you choose which product to pick by reminding you of your past orders. You can complete the entire transaction with your voice, through picking delivery options to paying with your saved card details.
“We’re entering an exciting partnership with Walmart to bring you hundreds of thousands of products at Walmart’s Every Day Low Prices – everything from laundry detergent to Legos – that you can buy through voice with your Assistant on Google Home or on the Google Express website or app,” said Google. “We’re thrilled to partner with one of the most popular stores in America to help make your shopping faster and easier.”
“Natural progression”
The partnership with Walmart comes as the retail industry prepares for a big push towards voice shopping. The field is being led by Amazon and its Alexa assistant. During Prime Day, the company pushed shoppers to give Alexa purchases a try. Special discounts were available for people using voice shopping for the first time.
Retailers are exploring how voice interfaces could aid their businesses. Walmart’s partnership with Google will serve as a high-profile example of what digital assistants can offer to the retail industry. One leading digital experience provider said voice interfaces will be accepted by consumers and retailers as a more intuitive way to shop.
“We live in an age of convenience and ease of use. AI-first engagement, especially through voice, is a natural progression from touch activities,” said Michael Levine, VP of Marketing at Photon. “Voice adds a deeper, faster level of context for customer engagement than typing, swiping or pressing ever will. In one breath, you can order what you want, the size you need it in and the shipping option of choice versus the traditional way of search and browse.”
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Voice shopping could evolve into one of the most natural ways to purchase online products. In the same way you ask a market seller for groceries or tell a store assistant what you’re looking for, Alexa and Google Assistant will guide you through purchases and complete your transactions.
For major retailers like Walmart, digital transformation comes now. Buying in to the future early ensures they’ll remain one step ahead of the crowd. The partnership also gives Google’s service credence with consumers, demonstrating big brands are already convinced. The long-term impact will see more users try out voice shopping, moving retail beyond the screen.