Google and Walmart; Great Partnership

Google and Walmart; Great Partnership
The partnership announced between Google and Walmart is the strongest step yet to prevent Amazon from becoming the dominant voice platform in people’s homes. It’s a win-win for both companies: Google supplies the infrastructure while Walmart supplies the products.

Google still in the retail game
Google has attempted to fend of Amazon’s growing share of product searches by integrating more into the path to purchase, including last mile delivery with Google Express, but without much impact. Google Express floundered in 2015 and Amazon’s product search share continually grows. With Walmart as a partner, Google benefits not only from Walmart’s product catalogue, but also its strong motivation to keep pace with Amazon and its expertise in retail--it’s not a coincidence that Google Express’ annual fee was eliminated as well.

Full Integration
This is not a trial. This is a full integration.  Walmart will have the largest product catalogue on Google Assistant. Shoppers will be able to have access to Easy Reorder on Google Express to easily reorder past purchases made in store and online.
But the big moves will come next year when in store pick up (often with a discount) and the ability to purchase fresh groceries go live. Walmart’s dominance in stores and groceries are advantages over Amazon. However, their strength has weakened a bit since Amazon purchased Whole Foods this summer.

The stakes are high
Both companies understand the stakes are high as voice commerce starts gaining traction among consumers. Now is the time to compete to avoid a winner take all scenario in voice commerce and that winner is looking like Amazon. The success of both companies’ foray into voice commerce is dependent on the perfect execution of this partnership.