BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is redefining what it means to stay on-trend with the launch of its new AI and generative AI-powered design tool, Trend-to-Product, a new proprietary tech solution created to support Walmart’s designers and merchants. Trend-to-Product uses AI and generative AI to analyze and synthesize global data and trends, pulling information from the internet and tastemakers to power the Walmart Fashion team in creating on-trend, high-quality items with speed, all at the low prices customers expect.
The proprietary technology empowers Walmart’s in-house fashion teams to move from identifying trends to launching products in as little as six to eight weeks — a dramatic reduction from the traditional six-month design cycle. By harnessing generative AI, Trend-to-Product scans global fashion signals, from social media and runways to digital trend reports, synthesizing data to generate complete mood boards, color palettes, and even product concepts in a matter of minutes.
“Trend-to-Product empowers our private brand design and product development associates to spend less time chasing trends and more time doing what they love most – creating and delivering high quality, on-trend items for our customers for every season and occasion,” said Jen Jackson Brown, senior vice president for apparel brand and design in Walmart U.S. “We are excited by the early results of this new technology and the power it could have to transform the way we operate and serve our customers.”
Once a trend is detected, the tool automates early-stage development, producing design packs that provide Walmart’s suppliers with detailed instructions to manufacture the final product. The result is a faster, smarter product pipeline that gets clothes on shelves and online while the trend is still hot.
Beyond speed, the initiative reflects a broader ambition. Walmart envisions Trend-to-Product as a springboard to reshape product innovation across multiple categories, from beauty to food.
“From the beginning, we recognized Trend-to-Product could go beyond fashion, to help Walmart bring great products to market in any category,” said Bill Chiodetti, Lead Product Manager. “Our mission is to help Walmart accelerate without compromise.”
Walmart’s EVP and CTO of Walmart International, Vinod Bidarkoppa, sees the innovation as a signal of broader change: “Walmart has continued to invest in cutting-edge AI and GenAI technologies to make the lives of our customers, members and associates easier. Trend-to-Product is the latest example of how these technologies drive optimization, and when combined, can revolutionize an entire business line or industry,” said Vinod Bidarkoppa, the EVP and chief technology officer at Walmart International. “This innovation underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, ensuring that our customers always have access to the latest trends at the best prices.”
The tool’s inception is rooted in a familiar innovation story — a whiteboard session in Bentonville inspired by a generative AI paper about creating new chemical compounds. The idea sparked Walmart’s team to ask, “What if we could do this with products?” That moment led to Trend-to-Product.
Executive VP of Walmart Sourcing, Andrea Albright, believes the possibilities are just beginning. “We recognized the possibilities with customer-facing technology and saw Trend-to-Product as a way to bring the best of AI and GenAI to the first mile. Now, that vision is coming to life,” Andrea said. “And we're not stopping with fashion. Imagine a future where Trend-to-Product helps designers create the next great lipstick color or a new flavor combination that sets the internet on fire. That’s where we’re headed.”
