At a Glance

  • Walmart executives said on Thursday's fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter earnings call that AI technology is helping improve operations and inventory efficiency while driving revenue growth.
  • "The way we're using technology and AI is helping us build great customer solutions, reduce friction, simplify decision-making, and pinpoint inventory—all while maintaining the trust we've earned from our customers and members," said CEO John Furner on his first earnings call since taking the role. Furner succeeded former CEO Doug McMillon on February 1.
  • Executives said the adoption of automation, especially in inventory management, helped the company boost sales amid tariff headwinds. The company reported full-year revenue of $713 billion, up 4.7% year over year.

Deep Dive

In recent years, Walmart has actively built a solid technology foundation, setting a benchmark for the retail industry and quickly adapting to the AI wave.

In 2025, the company rolled out AI-assisted tools to employees, established four super agents covering operations, and integrated AI services into its employee app, reaching 1.5 million workers. The retail giant also expanded its AI leadership team with new AI acceleration roles and partnered with OpenAI to provide training for employees.

CFO John David Rainey told investors on the call that automation efforts have improved Walmart's ability to efficiently move goods to stores and consumers.

"About 60% of stores now receive some merchandise from automated distribution centers, and roughly 50% of e-commerce fulfillment center volume is automated," Rainey said of the U.S. business. "This gives us better visibility into our owned and accessible inventory while improving labor productivity."

Furner specifically highlighted Sparky, a shopping assistant and one of Walmart's four super agents, as a key driver of customer spending. Customers using Sparky have an average order value 35% higher than typical customers, and engagement metrics rose in the fourth quarter, Furner said.

"Agentic commerce will bring tremendous value to our customers," Furner said. "Agentic AI will also benefit our associates because it helps them focus on what matters most."

As a retailer, Walmart is not alone in advancing AI deployment. According to a report released last year by Capgemini, retail ranks in the top five for AI agent maturity. The firm said more than half of retailers increased their generative AI investments in 2025.

Looking ahead, Walmart plans to continue supporting further AI deployment through a strategy of partnering with technology vendors.

"As you can see from our announcements, we're advancing AI through a partnership approach," Rainey said. "This allows tech companies to focus on what they do best—developing innovative technology—while we maintain a clear focus on what we do best—translating the best technology into retail experiences that create value for customers, members, and the business."