BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Walmart says it has updated its Sparky artificial intelligence agent, adding options to help shoppers navigate the year-end holiday season.
One upgrade makes it easier for customers to get shopping ideas and fill digital shopping carts by uploading photos to the Sparky platform.
An uploaded photo of a handwritten grocery list, for instance, will be converted by Sparky to an online shopping cart, Walmart says in a press release. A photo of a stain on a sweater will direct Sparky to suggest products needed to lift the stain.
Similarly, Sparky will take fashion inspiration from a customer’s uploaded photos to recreate a desired look from in-store options.
Another new feature directs shoppers inside a Walmart store to the aisle where they will find a product and then illuminate a digital price tag on the shelf where the item should be stocked.
Sparky can also help users with holiday meal planning by suggesting recipes and shopping lists based on specific requests, such as identifying a healthier take on pumpkin pie.
“Customers can type, talk* or share an image with Sparky, with help available in the app, online and in stores,” the company says in its press release. “Less time figuring it all out. More time for the parts of the holidays worth looking forward to.”
Sparky drives significantly higher shopper spending, company says
With the user’s permission, Sparky can weigh such factors as age range, budget, hobbies and personal interests in making purchase suggestions.
Speech and text recognition in Spanish and French is being introduced as Sparky expands into Mexico and Canada, Walmart says. “Simply type or speak in either language to Sparky, it detects the natural language input and responds in-kind, ensuring effortless assistance.”
Walmart says the agent has been driving significantly higher customer spending since the it was introduced, in June 2025.
