Walmart launches Agent Gateway for AI shopping as Amazon blocks agents
While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat
- Who
- Walmart
- What
- launched Agent Gateway, an MCP server for AI agents to search Walmart’s inventory and make purchases
- When
- Quote
Walmart is embracing agentic commerce with the launch of its own Agent Gateway to manage transactions and other new features aimed at customers using AI agents, the retailer announced on Wednesday.
What happened
Walmart announced Agent Gateway, an MCP server that lets approved AI agents search its online inventory and make purchases for shoppers. Agent Profiles, rolling out next month, will separate agent purchases and let customers require transaction approvals or set spending limits. Support requires a Walmart account but no Walmart+ membership, and Walmart says its returns process also applies when an agent acts unexpectedly.
Why it matters
Walmart’s purchase approvals, spending limits, and returns terms offer a concrete example of how retailers can give shoppers control over transactions made by AI agents.
Reported by 2 sources
The story so far
Walmart announced Agent Gateway, an MCP server designed to let approved AI agents search its online inventory and buy items for shoppers, with customer access and purchase controls set to roll out in November. TechCrunch described the gateway as launched, while The Verge reported that customers will be able to connect their own agents next month. The technology will support shopping at Walmart and Sam’s Club; Walmart agent support requires a Walmart account but no Walmart+ membership. Agent Profiles, also scheduled for November, will let customers authorize each agent and review its purchases separately from their own. The Verge reported that purchases will require approval by default, though customers can authorize spending within a budget. Walmart says the gateway will restrict agents’ access to personal information and that its returns process applies when an agent acts unexpectedly.
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