Walmart and its subsidiary Sam’s Club will begin accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay at checkout, marking a significant shift in the retailer’s payment options. Starting August 24 at select locations, customers can use contactless tap-to-pay technology. The company intends to roll out this feature across all U.S. stores by year’s end, with fuel stations following by mid-2027.
For years, Walmart shoppers were restricted to traditional payment methods including cash, checks, and credit cards, along with a proprietary “Scan & Go” mobile feature. While Walmart introduced its own contactless payment system in 2016 using QR code technology, it failed to gain significant traction compared to mainstream options like Apple Pay. The retailer’s Canadian operations have supported tap-to-pay since 2020, putting the U.S. expansion years behind schedule.
Consumer demand appears to have been the driving force behind this decision. Social media posts announcing the feature generated enthusiastic responses from users who had long requested Apple Pay compatibility. Online communities, particularly on Reddit, documented nearly a decade of customer frustration over Walmart’s resistance to mainstream contactless payments, with some skeptics insisting the change would never occur.
Walmart stated the expansion represents a broader initiative to simplify payment methods for customers and members. The move acknowledges shifting consumer preferences toward convenient, widely-recognized payment solutions.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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