e-commerce
Walmart to roll out Apple Pay and Google Pay across US stores
Contactless payments begin at select locations on August 24 and expand nationwide by 2026
MUMBAI: Walmart is finally ready to tap into the tap-to-pay boom. The retailer is changing its long-standing approach to in-store payments, introducing support for contactless transactions through services including Apple Pay and Google Pay at its US stores.
The rollout will begin at a limited number of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations on August 24, with the retailer planning to make contactless payments available across its US store network by the end of 2026. Its fuel stations are expected to get the functionality by mid-2027.
The move marks a notable shift for Walmart, which has historically favoured its own payment ecosystem. Until now, shoppers wanting to make a contactless payment generally had to use Walmart Pay through the retailer’s app.
Under the new system, customers will be able to tap compatible smartphones, smartwatches or contactless cards against payment terminals. Eligible Walmart, Sam’s Club and OnePay cards can also be added to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
The change will not mean curtains for Walmart’s existing payment options. Customers can continue using cash and physical cards, while Walmart Pay and Sam’s Club Scan & Go will remain available alongside the new NFC-based payment option.
For Walmart, the shift also closes a chapter on its long-running preference for proprietary payments. The retailer had previously opted not to support services such as Apple Pay and was involved in CurrentC, an industry-backed attempt to build an alternative to mobile wallets. The initiative was discontinued in 2016.
The latest move brings Walmart closer to the contactless payment practices already adopted by many US retailers, allowing shoppers to use digital wallets and cards they already have rather than switching to Walmart’s own payment system.
The initial deployment at selected stores will be followed by a wider rollout across Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. Contactless payments are then expected to reach Walmart’s fuel stations by 2027.
The move comes as Walmart continues to link its physical stores with its digital shopping ecosystem, with convenience and faster fulfilment becoming increasingly central to the retail experience.
