Walmart new GenAI tool slashes design timelines from six months to six weeks by automating trend analysis and product creation.
Walmart has unveiled a new GenAI tool called Trend-to-Product, designed to accelerate fashion design development by cutting production timelines by up to 18 weeks. Built in-house, the tool analyzes fashion trends from online sources and social media. Generating mood boards that guide designers in real time. It enables Walmart to react quickly to evolving style demands without compromising quality or sourcing ethics.
Traditionally, it took around six months to move from identifying a trend to launching a product in-store. With this GenAI tool, the process now takes as little as six weeks. According to Walmart CTO Vinod Bidarkoppa, the platform transforms a once manual. Slow process into a fast and scalable design workflow, using automation to handle time-consuming tasks in minutes. It has already been used for Walmart’s $2 billion No Boundaries apparel line.
The AI engine detects early signals from consumer behavior online, rapidly turning those signals into actionable product directions. Designers and merchants then use the generated mood boards and data to finalize pieces, significantly boosting design agility. Executive VP Andrea Albright noted the tool’s success in apparel, Walmart’s most complex category, and said similar capabilities will soon be applied to seasonal and general merchandise.
This GenAI tool is part of Walmart’s broader AI strategy that includes replenishment systems, AI-powered search, and queue-reducing tools at Sam’s Club. By embedding GenAI deeper into its operations, Walmart is not only enhancing customer responsiveness but also mitigating supply chain risks. This includes tariffs, with smarter sourcing decisions based on demand speed and location.