Walmart launches Agent Gateway for controlled AI shopping
Walmart opens a controlled path for AI shopping agents
Walmart has launched Agent Gateway, a new MCP server intended to let approved AI agents search the retailer’s online inventory and make purchases for their users. The capability supports shopping at both Walmart and Sam’s Club, extending the retailer’s efforts to prepare for agentic commerce.
The announcement contrasts with Amazon’s recent decision to block AI agents from purchasing on behalf of online shoppers. Walmart is instead establishing a route for agents to transact, while setting technical and policy limits on how they operate.
Gateway uses the Model Context Protocol
Agent Gateway is designed to connect approved agents to Walmart through the Model Context Protocol, or MCP. Created by Anthropic, MCP enables AI agents to connect with external data sources, tools and workflows. At Walmart, that connection can be used to search inventory and complete purchases for the agent’s user.
Walmart said the system can help people shop for usual brands or items without requiring them to share personal information or purchase history directly with an agent. The company also said it has developed technology to distinguish purchases initiated by an agent from transactions made directly by the customer.
Profiles separate agents from account holders
Agent Profiles, due to roll out next month, will give each AI agent a dedicated profile within a customer’s Walmart account. Customers will be able to view purchases made by a particular agent separately from their own transactions.
Users can choose to approve every transaction or permit purchases within a spending limit they set. Walmart compared the arrangement to adding an authorized user to a credit card: transactions can be identified and spending can be capped. A profile is created when a customer first uses an agent through the gateway, after the customer authorizes and links it to the Walmart account. The profile can be deleted at any time.
Agent support is available to anyone with a Walmart account and does not require a Walmart+ membership. Walmart had already announced a partnership with Meta’s Muse and integrations with AI applications including ChatGPT and Gemini.
Terms set boundaries for agent activity
Walmart is also introducing terms for AI agents that specify how they must operate and what rights they have to transact on its site. The retailer said agents cannot take actions beyond the shopper’s intent, cannot access customer payment information, and can access only the information needed for a task. Agents that fail to comply will be blocked from the site.
The retailer said its usual returns process applies even if an agent does not act as intended. For businesses assessing agent-driven transactions, Walmart’s approach highlights the operational value of distinct identities, visible transaction records, customer-set approvals and enforceable access rules.