Walmart Brings Apple and Google Payments to Stores Amid Sales Slump
Retail giant Walmart has announced that it will be adding Tap to Pay services from Apple and Google to its payment options at select stores, starting next week on August 24. This move comes after a disappointing quarterly sales report earlier this month, which saw Walmart's shares slide.
The company plans to roll out Tap to Pay to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026 and to fuel stations by the middle of 2027. According to Walmart, the service aims to provide customers with a seamless checkout experience, allowing them to choose how they pay at checkout.
This move has been met with surprise from tech analysts, given Walmart's previous stance on preferring its own payment option, Walmart Pay. However, it seems that customer demand for alternative payment options, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, has been high, with 85% of U.S. retailers accepting Apple Pay and 87% accepting Google Pay.