This might come in handy.
Walmart on Thursday introduced its own mobile payments service called “Walmart Pay” built into its Walmart app on iOS and Android. The new Apple Pay competitor will roll out in select Walmart stores in the U.S. this month, followed by a nationwide launch within the first half of 2016.
The Walmart Pay system functions via QR codes during the checkout process that involve opening the Walmart app, selecting Walmart Pay, activating the camera, scanning the code displayed at the register and waiting for the cashier to finish bagging your items. An electronic receipt will automatically be sent to the Walmart app.
The payment solution supports any major credit, debit, pre-paid and Walmart gift card with the company stating that 22 million customers currently use the app each month.
Walmart is among a handful of retailers that have refused to support Apple Pay since its U.S. launch in October 2014. The retailer is instead one of over a dozen retailers committed to the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX) consortium and its yet-to-launch rival payments service CurrentC.
Walmart has yet to announce plans with regard to support for Apple Pay, but the company’s senior vice president of services Daniel Eckert said Walmart Pay allows “for integration of other mobile wallets in the future.”
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.