Google and Wal-Mart vs. Amazon

Hey monkeys,

Google and Wal-Mart recently partnered up to oppose Amazon's strong control over the e-commerce industry. Google is letting Wal-Mart list its items on their online marketplace and is giving them access to their voice ordering technology to challenge Amazon's Alexa.

Wal-Mart will leverage Google’s virtual assistant and Echo competitor, the Google Home, to make its goods available at the sound of a consumer’s voice. Google, meanwhile, hopes access to Wal-Mart’s inventory will help boost engagement and sales of its assistant and speakers. The partnership will enhance the selection and overall cachet of Google Express, which competes with delivery services such as Instacart Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc.

This isn't the only way Wal-Mart is trying to fight Amazon. After Amazon acquired Whole Foods, Wal-Mart has been finding ways to deliver groceries fast and efficiently.

The battle between Wal-Mart and Amazon has recently taken on new intensity, most notably with Amazon’s planned acquisition of Whole Foods, which heightens their competition in groceries. Wal-Mart this week said it is expanding grocery-delivery tests with Uber, and is testing some deliveries by store workers. Google and Wal-Mart hope to enable users to order fresh groceries via voice for in-store pickup next year.

Thanks for reading.

What are your thoughts on the partnership?