Does Walmart use Apple Pay?

Answered by Jason Smith

Walmart does not currently accept Apple Pay at its stores in the United States. Despite numerous customer requests, the big-box retailer has chosen not to adopt the iPhone’s tap-to-pay service. This decision has sparked frustration among many customers who prefer to use Apple Pay for its convenience and security.

One can easily find evidence of the ongoing requests for Walmart to accept Apple Pay by simply searching on Twitter. Countless tweets from customers can be found on a daily basis, expressing their desire for the retailer to adopt this payment method. However, Walmart has not shown any indication that it plans to change its stance on this matter.

It is worth noting that Walmart has its own mobile payment system called Walmart Pay, which was launched in 2015. Walmart Pay allows customers to make purchases by scanning a QR code at the checkout using the Walmart app on their smartphones. This system is similar to other mobile payment methods, but it is exclusive to Walmart and does not support Apple Pay.

The reasons behind Walmart’s decision not to accept Apple Pay are unclear. It could be due to the fact that Walmart is a part of the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a consortium of major retailers that developed a rival mobile payment system called CurrentC. However, CurrentC faced various obstacles and failed to gain widespread adoption, eventually leading to its discontinuation.

Another possible reason for Walmart’s reluctance to accept Apple Pay is the fees associated with it. Apple charges a small fee to merchants for each transaction made through Apple Pay. Walmart, being one of the largest retailers in the world, may have decided that the cost of implementing and maintaining Apple Pay is not justified by the potential benefits it offers.

Furthermore, Walmart has always been focused on providing low prices to its customers, and it is likely that the company sees its own mobile payment system, Walmart Pay, as a way to gather valuable customer data and offer targeted promotions, which could potentially lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.

Despite the numerous requests from customers, Walmart does not currently accept Apple Pay at its stores in the United States. The reasons behind this decision are not clear, but it could be due to Walmart’s participation in the MCX consortium, the fees associated with Apple Pay, or the company’s focus on its own mobile payment system, Walmart Pay.