Walmart adding Apple Pay, other tap-to-pay options

Walmart announced Friday that some of its stores and Sam's Club locations will add tap-to-pay options in the U.S. beginning Monday.

Why it matters: Tap-to-pay has eluded Walmart customers, who instead had to rely on the company's Walmart Pay system, which required scanning QR codes at checkout.

What they're saying: "We want customers and members to have choice in how they pay, so they can check out in the way that works best for them," Walmart said in a press release.

• "It all comes back to giving customers and members more choice and making everyday shopping a little easier — from how they manage their money to how they pay at checkout."

Context: The rollout will include the full service of tap-to-pay options, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, a company spokesperson tells Axios.

• Walmart is not publicly sharing the list of stores or cities where tap-to-pay will be implemented first, the spokesperson said.
• The company plans to add the technology to all stores and clubs by year-end. Walmart says all Walmart and Sam's Club fuel stations are expected to have it by mid-2027.

The big picture: Walmart has been one of the few stores to avoid using the payment technology, promoting its own options such as Walmart Pay or Scan-and-Go at Sam's Club stores.

• Walmart customers have been clamoring for Apple Pay, which is available in 85% of all retailers, and tap options for years.

Flashback: Walmart previously teamed up with other stores to tackle the Apple Pay system altogether, embracing the CurrentC mobile technology in the 2010s.

• However, that form of payment was shut down in 2016.

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information throughout.