Retail is not dipping its toe in AI anymore. It is cannonballing right in.
Let us get straight to the headlines:
- Walmart has rolled out AI super agents across its operations: Sparky for customers, Associate for employees, Marty for suppliers, and one for developers. The goal is to simplify experiences and reach 50% online sales within five years.
- Starbucks is deploying AI-driven inventory counting across more than 11,000 stores. They have reduced restocking times by eightfold.
- Williams Sonoma has unveiled “Culinary Companion,” an AI assistant that enhances both in-store and digital customer engagement.
As I emphasized in the last article, Walmart has gone further than pilots. They have added two C-suite leaders to embed AI deeply into their core strategy.
And now they are going even further. Walmart is partnering with OpenAI to train millions of people in AI skills. OpenAI aims to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, and Walmart is a foundational partner. Beginning in 2026, Walmart associates will gain free access to AI training at scale.
Sources: Fox Business, Supermarket News, Outlook Business, Retail Touchpoints.
Mass Retail at a Crossroads
Craig Boyan, president of H-E-B, framed it perfectly years ago at the FMI convention:
“Retailers are in a race with digital companies. Digital-first companies are racing to learn how to run a retail organization, and retailers are learning to become digital companies. Whoever wins that race will likely win the marketplace.”
That rings truer today than ever. With AI powering everything from supply chains to customer experience, the race is as real as it gets.
Now, lean in on this: earlier this year Walmart CEO Doug McMillon reflected on the pace of tech adoption:
“This window of opportunity to apply artificial intelligence and become even more tech-powered, while still being people-led, is unique.”
Source: AndNowUKnow
The Exponential Tipping Point
Here is the challenge. Technology is improving at an exponential pace, not a linear one. AI is growing more powerful month by month. Robotics and automation are scaling rapidly. That means retailers who are investing mightily, like Walmart and Amazon, are pulling away from the pack. Some others, like Kroger, who have made significant bets on e-commerce, may still be close enough to catch up. But many traditional retailers will not be able to move fast enough if they hesitate.
The floral industry is at the very same crossroads. Large, consolidated floral growers are in a stronger position to adopt these exponential technologies. Smaller growers and retailers who sit on the sidelines risk being left behind. Even in an industry where gross margins are slim and profits as a percentage of sales are narrow, making the right investments now is critical. Delay is not neutral. It is dangerous.
What This Means for Floral Industry Leaders
- AI is now strategic infrastructure, not optional tools. Retail leaders are not flirting with AI, they are building their business models around it.
- We should match that ambition. Whether it is virtual bouquet stylists, predictive replenishment, AI-driven content, or smarter logistics, retail shows us it is possible and profitable.
- Human-led meaning still matters. AI may run the workflows, but emotion, empathy, and storytelling remain our differentiator. Flowers are not just another SKU. They are joy, connection, and emotion.
In Summary
Retail is all in on AI. Walmart is not just experimenting. It is building its future with it. Its OpenAI partnership, combined with board-level AI leadership and reflections from Doug McMillon, shows the seriousness of the moment.
For floral leaders, the message is clear. Technology is exponential, competitive, and human-first. The time to lead is now.
Have questions about how to begin the journey? Reach out and I will help!
About the Author
Joe Don Zetzsche is a transformative leader in retail marketing and operations with a passion for elevating customer experiences and fostering high-performing teams. As Vice President of BLOOMS Floral Marketing at H-E-B, he led the transformation of its floral business from a traditional supermarket department into an award-winning full-service floral shop—growing annual sales from $80M to over $300M and earning recognition as the fastest-growing floral business in the U.S. mass-market segment. Honored with the Produce Marketing Association Floral Marketer of the Year Award and the International Fresh Produce Association “Team of Six” Merger Award, Joe now owns and operates Rocking Bar Z, bringing the same commitment to innovation, excellence, and empowering talent to his own ventures.
Published by New Bloom Media
New Bloom Media (NBM) is the first multi-channel B2B media platform dedicated solely to the floral industry across the Americas. Through thought leadership, industry insights, and collaborative storytelling, NBM helps businesses innovate, connect, and thrive.
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