What: Forbes reviews the announcements made by Walmart between the CES and the NRF event.

Why it is important: they are going big on AI with many different use cases proposed, showing the width of potential applications.

In the past week, Walmart announced several innovative initiatives at CES, emphasizing its push beyond traditional retailing into technological and cultural spheres:

1. GenAI Search: This feature for iOS users offers cross-category recommendations based on specific queries, like preparing for a football party.
2. InHome Replenishment: An anticipatory service where Walmart predicts customer needs and delivers items directly to their refrigerators.
3. Shop with Friends: An AR-based social commerce platform allowing users to create virtual outfits, compare with similar-sized models, and seek feedback from friends.
4. AI Receipt Verification: A computer-vision system to ensure the items in a shopper’s cart match their receipt upon exiting the store.
5. Renewable Energy Goals: Walmart aims to power over 50% of its stores with renewable energy by 2025.
6. Walmart Creator: A new platform for users to post product reviews and recommendations influencer-style, with an opportunity to earn money.
7. Pop Culture Integration: Walmart plans to continue integrating its brand into pop culture, following initiatives like a shoppable holiday rom-com and a Mean Girls tie-in.

These announcements, made at a tech-focused event like CES and ahead of Walmart executives speaking at NRF, indicate Walmart's strategy to follow and expand upon Amazon’s model, focusing on logistics, marketplace, and a broader role in the consumer market.

A look at the most recent announcements made by Walmart, including AI