Overview To Does Walmart Take Apple Pay?
Walmart, one of the largest retail chains in the United States, does not accept Apple Pay as a payment method in its stores.
Apple Pay is a mobile payment system that allows customers to make purchases using their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch by linking their device to a credit or debit card.
However, Walmart has opted to promote its own mobile payment system called Walmart Pay, which is integrated into the Walmart app.
Walmart Pay functions similarly to Apple Pay but is designed exclusively for use in Walmart stores.
Customers can link their credit, debit, or gift cards to the Walmart app and use their smartphones to scan a QR code at the register to complete the transaction.
This decision by Walmart to push its own payment system may be driven by a desire to avoid transaction fees associated with third-party payment systems like Apple Pay and to maintain greater control over customer data and payment methods.
While many retailers have adopted Apple Pay due to its convenience and security, Walmart remains focused on promoting its own payment ecosystem.
Reasons Why Walmart Doesn’t Take Apple Pay?
Walmart does not accept Apple Pay primarily due to strategic and financial reasons. Below are the key factors explaining Walmart’s decision:
1. Promotion of Walmart Pay
- Walmart Pay: Walmart has developed its own mobile payment system, Walmart Pay, which is integrated into its app. By focusing on Walmart Pay, the company maintains control over its payment processes, customer data, and can offer a unified experience across its online and in-store platforms.
- App Ecosystem: Encouraging customers to use Walmart Pay increases the likelihood of them engaging with Walmart’s app, allowing for enhanced customer engagement, loyalty programs, and tailored promotions.
2. Transaction Fees
- Avoiding Apple Pay Fees: Apple Pay, like other third-party payment systems, comes with processing fees for retailers. By using its own payment platform, Walmart avoids paying fees to Apple and credit card networks, which can add up significantly given the company’s large transaction volume.
- Cost Efficiency: By bypassing Apple Pay, Walmart can streamline costs associated with mobile payments, allowing them to maintain competitive pricing.
3. Control Over Customer Data
- Customer Insights: Walmart Pay gives Walmart greater access to valuable customer data, including shopping habits, preferences, and transaction details. With Apple Pay, some of this data would remain with Apple, limiting Walmart’s ability to fully leverage the information for marketing and operational purposes.
- Direct Customer Relationship: Walmart Pay helps Walmart strengthen its direct relationship with customers, bypassing third-party intermediaries like Apple.
4. Partnerships and Loyalty
- Retailer Consortia: Walmart has been part of Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a consortium that created CurrentC, a mobile wallet aimed at providing an alternative to Apple Pay and similar services. While CurrentC didn’t succeed, Walmart’s focus on its own payment system aligns with this broader strategy of promoting merchant-controlled solutions.
5. Competitive Advantage
- By not adopting Apple Pay, Walmart emphasizes its own unique approach to mobile payments. This ensures that customers remain within Walmart’s ecosystem, boosting brand loyalty, repeat shopping, and use of Walmart-specific services.
In summary, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay as it prefers to drive the adoption of its own Walmart Pay platform, avoid third-party fees, and retain control over customer data and transactions.
Features Of Walmart Pay?
- Mobile Payment System: Walmart Pay is a mobile payment feature available within the Walmart app, allowing customers to make contactless payments directly from their smartphones.
- Integration with Walmart App: It is fully integrated into the Walmart app, which offers additional features like order tracking, shopping lists, and product search, providing a seamless shopping experience.
- Works with Multiple Payment Methods: Users can link various forms of payment to Walmart Pay, including credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and prepaid cards.
- Secure Payment Process: Walmart Pay uses encrypted technology to securely store and transmit payment information. The app does not transmit actual card numbers during transactions, adding an extra layer of security.
- Contactless Payments: Unlike traditional card swipes, Walmart Pay allows for contactless payments. Customers simply scan a QR code at the register, eliminating the need to hand over cards or cash.
- Digital Receipts: After a transaction is completed using Walmart Pay, a digital receipt is automatically saved in the Walmart app, reducing the need for paper receipts and making it easy to track purchase history.
- Availability in Stores: Walmart Pay is available at all Walmart stores across the U.S., but it is not usable for online shopping. It’s designed exclusively for in-store purchases.
- Fast and Convenient: By linking the app to multiple payment options and storing them, users can make quick purchases without searching for physical wallets or cards.
- Support for EBT and Gift Cards: In addition to credit and debit cards, Walmart Pay supports the use of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards and Walmart gift cards for payment.
- Loyalty and Rewards: Walmart Pay helps users take advantage of Walmart’s savings programs like price matching, discounts, and rewards seamlessly during the checkout process.
These features make Walmart Pay an attractive option for those who frequently shop at Walmart and prefer a secure, contactless, and efficient payment method.
Alternative To Apple Pay At Walmart?
Since Walmart does not accept Apple Pay, customers can use several other payment methods when shopping in-store or online. Here are some of the primary alternatives:
1. Walmart Pay
- Description: Walmart Pay is Walmart’s proprietary mobile payment system, integrated into the Walmart app. Customers can link their debit cards, credit cards, or gift cards to the app and pay by scanning a QR code at the checkout.
- How it works: Open the Walmart app, tap “Services,” select “Walmart Pay,” and scan the QR code at the register to complete your purchase.
- Available for: iOS and Android devices.
2. Credit and Debit Cards
- Description: Walmart accepts all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
- How it works: Simply swipe, insert the chip, or tap your card at the payment terminal. Contactless payments are supported with tap-enabled cards.
3. Walmart Gift Cards
- Description: Walmart gift cards can be used in-store and online. They are available for purchase and can be reloaded with a specific dollar amount.
- How it works: Enter your gift card details online or present the card at checkout.
4. PayPal
- Description: While not available for in-store purchases directly, Walmart allows customers to use PayPal for online orders through Walmart.com.
- How it works: Select PayPal as your payment method during checkout on the Walmart website or app.
5. Buy Now, Pay Later Services
- Description: Walmart partners with financial services like Affirm to allow customers to finance their purchases over time.
- How it works: During checkout, select Affirm, follow the prompts to qualify for financing, and choose a payment plan that works for you.
6. Cash
- Description: Cash payments are accepted at all Walmart locations.
- How it works: Pay with cash directly at the register.
7. Checks
- Description: Personal checks are accepted at Walmart stores.
- How it works: Present your check at checkout, along with a valid ID. Walmart uses electronic check processing for verification.
8. EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer)
- Description: For those receiving government assistance, Walmart accepts EBT for eligible food purchases (SNAP) in-store and for some online grocery orders.
- How it works: Swipe your EBT card at the payment terminal or enter the details online.
9. Walmart Credit Card
- Description: The Capital One Walmart Rewards Card and Walmart Rewards Card can be used at Walmart for purchases and offer cashback rewards on Walmart.com, in-store, and elsewhere.
- How it works: Use the Walmart credit card like any regular credit card at checkout.
These alternatives provide Walmart shoppers with a wide range of payment options, though none of them involve Apple Pay directly.
Walmart’s focus remains on promoting its own payment solutions like Walmart Pay, while supporting other popular methods like credit cards and PayPal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Walmart does not accept Apple Pay, it offers a variety of alternative payment methods, including its own Walmart Pay, which is a direct competitor to mobile wallets like Apple Pay.
Walmart Pay provides a convenient, contactless checkout experience within the Walmart app, allowing customers to link their preferred payment methods.
The decision not to accept Apple Pay is likely driven by Walmart’s desire to maintain control over customer data, minimize transaction fees, and promote its proprietary payment system.
Customers can still use other popular payment methods such as credit and debit cards, PayPal for online orders, cash, and even buy-now-pay-later services like Affirm.
Despite the absence of Apple Pay, Walmart provides ample options to ensure a seamless shopping experience for its diverse customer base.
