Welcome back to the PlayAbly podcast. Shopping as we know it is about to radically change. Walmart—yes, that Walmart—just announced a major partnership with OpenAI to let customers shop directly through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout. That means product recommendations, price comparisons, and even purchases—all inside a single AI-powered conversation.

But this isn’t just a new plugin or gimmick. Walmart is going all-in on agentic commerce, rebuilding its entire infrastructure to be “AI-first.” The way customers discover, evaluate, and buy products online? It’s being reengineered from the ground up.

So what does this mean for ecommerce founders, DTC brands, and Shopify sellers? Does it open new doors—or just give big-box retailers more power?

In this episode, we break down:

• What Walmart’s OpenAI deal actually means
• Why “agentic commerce” is more than just voice shopping
• How small brands can optimize for AI discoverability
• The coming rise of AI storefronts and category-specific shopping agents
• Actionable steps for staying visible in an AI-dominated future

We also talk about how indie brands can stay competitive by leaning into tools like PlayAbly to create immersive experiences—whether it’s a gamification rewards program
, interactive gamification e commerce
strategy, or shoppable games that drive deeper engagement.

This episode is a must-listen if you're thinking about:

• Retention marketing and customer loyalty
• Optimizing product data for AI-readability
• Building your own customer journey outside the algorithm
• Preparing for privacy, trust, and AI gatekeeping challenges

The future of retail isn’t five years away—it’s already here. Tune in to learn how to adapt, compete, and thrive.

Welcome to the PlayAbly Podcast, where we dive into the art and science of gamification, customer engagement, and driving conversions.

At PlayAbly, we turn passive audiences into active customers through shoppable games and playable experiences that transform how brands connect with their customers. Book your free demo here.

Get Your First Month of PlayAbly free when you mention this Podcast during your free PlayAbly Demo - learn how gamification can improve your ecommerce shop at www.playably.ai