, Columnist
Walmart’s AI Obsession Can’t Distract From Its Deals
AI hasn’t disrupted the store — yet.
Photographer: Ralf-Finn Hestoft/The Image Bank Unreleased
From inking a deal to sell its wares through ChatGPT to moving its stock listing to the tech-heavy Nasdaq, Walmart Inc. is signaling its intention to lead in the looming battle for AI shopping supremacy.
But as new Chief Executive Officer John Furner begins to make his mark on the world’s biggest retailer, Walmart must remember that it is first and foremost a store — one that sells essential items to millions of Americans. Staying grounded in retail fundamentals is all the more imperative as down-to-earth rivals, led by German discounter Aldi, will be ready to pounce the moment it misses a step.