Google Gemini adds Walmart checkout: Alphabet’s new AI shopping push puts GOOGL stock in focus
NEW YORK, Jan 12, 2026, 10:02 EST Walmart shares gained roughly 2% Monday as Alphabet slipped, following news the retailer’s shopping experience will be integrated into Google’s Gemini assistant. Shoppers can now build carts and complete checkout without leaving the chat interface. “We aren’t just watching the shift, we are driving it,” said John Furner, Walmart U.S. chief and incoming CEO. (https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2026/01/11/walmart-and-google-turn-ai-discovery-into-effortless-shopping-experiences) Google’s latest move is crucial as it aims to lock in high-intent shopping—and the ads tied to it—within its AI platforms, responding to consumers shifting from keyword searches to conversational tools. The company introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol,