Walmart is working on new ways to understand and predict customer behavior in order to improve its online shopping experience. The company has filed patent applications for three methods that use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict user actions. These methods analyze historical data, like past transactions and engagement, to determine the likelihood of certain events happening.
The first method predicts whether a customer will continue their membership with a loyalty program. The second method forecasts the probability of a user signing up for a program. And the third method predicts if a customer will switch from a free trial to a paid membership.
These patents aim to help Walmart personalize its approach to each customer rather than treating everyone the same. If a user is unlikely to sign up or convert, Walmart can avoid bombarding them with irrelevant ads or reminders that may reduce their overall satisfaction.
These patents are just one example of how AI is being used by companies to customize ads, recommendations, and user experiences. Visa, Uber, and eBay have also filed similar patent applications recently.
This is not the first time Walmart has embraced technology to improve its business beyond physical stores. They have applied for patents related to automated warehouse systems, autonomous delivery vehicles (like trucks and drones), and personalized recommendations based on shoppers’ preferences.
By leveraging these patents, Walmart hopes to enhance its presence in e-commerce. Specifically, it aims to promote Walmart+, its subscription service that offers benefits like gas discounts and free delivery. With over 11 million subscribers and competition from Amazon’s vast e-commerce capabilities, Walmart wants to narrow the gap between the two companies.