In the US, Walmart is one of the best grocery destinations with unbeatable prices and great deals for shoppers. Imagine if your mom gave you a grocery list but forgot to give you money. And when you are in Walmart’s check-out lanes, you suddenly realize that you don’t have money. So now you wonder: “Can’t I just use Apple Pay?” But the main question is, does Walmart will accept Apple Pay? And today, I will be answering this question in this article.
What Is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is arguably the company’s most recent and greatest commercial success. A method of making purchases online or in-store using the NFC chip in your iPhone or Apple Watch. By using Apple Pay with either Face ID or Touch ID, we may save our bank cards digitally and make purchases as if we physically had them.
Why Walmart Doesn’t Accept Apple Pay?
85% of US retailers now accept Apple Pay, which was first introduced in 2014. However, Walmart, the most well-known retailer in the nation, is not included on that list. And the reason is that they have a unique payment system.
It started with CurrentC. A company created by a group of retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Their goal was to develop a merchant-owned payment system that bypassed card transaction fees. Instead of paying 2-3% to credit card companies on each purchase, they would use a new payment technique that withdrew money directly from customer’s bank accounts.
Another benefit of CurrentC was its data collection. Since it came in the form of an app, every user had an account that tracked spending habits. It allowed merchants like Walmart to see where you shop, what health issues you might have based on pharmacy purchases, and even what device you’re using. Creating a customer profile that made marketing more effective.
It was clear that CurrentC was developed to benefit retailers rather than shoppers. The app had such a weak security system that user’s email addresses were hacked during its beta test period. Leading shoppers to distrust and even avoid CurrentC altogether. Just one year later, the program was discontinued. Leaving retailers to decide for themselves how to approach contactless payments.
Some, like Target and Best Buy decided to begin accepting Apple Pay. While others, like Walmart, preferred to create their own payment solution. Pivoting from CurrectC to Walmart Pay. A similar contactless payment system that was built-in to the company’s app. Shoppers would create an account and present a scan-able barcode at checkout.
The problem was that Walmart Pay had many of the same issues as CurrentC. Like data collection, questionable security, and the need for a third-party app. But Walmart needed to take this approach, since Apple Pay wouldn’t provide the retailer with customer data, and it wouldn’t eliminate card processing fees. Despite being more convenient and secure for shoppers.
Will Walmart accept Apple Pay any time soon?
I don’t think so because, in a MacRumors Interview, Walmart spokesperson Erin Hulliberger said, “Walmart Pay is the exclusive form of mobile payment accepted at Walmart, and [they] have no plans for that to change”
How to use Walmart Pay on iPhone?
Follow the Below Steps to use Walmart Pay:
- Download and Open Walmart App.
- Tap on Services Tab in the Navbar.
- Click on Walmart Pay and scan the QR code.
- Pay the amount and you are good to go.
