What changed
Walmart announced the launch of its Agent Gateway, a new platform designed to manage transactions and other features for customers using AI agents. The initiative is part of the retailer's broader strategy to embrace agentic commerce, which allows AI agents to perform tasks like shopping on behalf of users. This move comes after Amazon began blocking AI agents from making purchases on its platform.
What this means in practice
The Agent Gateway includes a new MCP server that enables approved AI agents to connect to Walmart's systems over the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This protocol allows agents to access Walmart's inventory and make purchases without requiring users to share their personal information or purchase history directly. Walmart also introduced Agent Profiles, which will let customers authorize AI agents with dedicated profiles in their accounts, providing control over what agents can do. Customers can set spending limits or require approval for each transaction, similar to adding an authorized user to a credit card.
Limitations and availability
The Agent Profiles will be created the first time a user employs an AI agent through the Walmart Agent Gateway. Customers can authorize and link the profile to their Walmart account, set controls, and delete the profile at any time. Agent support is available to anyone with a Walmart account, and a Walmart+ membership is not required. Walmart also introduced specific terms for AI agents, ensuring they cannot access payment information or act beyond the shopper's intent. Non-compliant agents will be blocked from accessing Walmart's site.
