Walmart Ditches Own Wallet, Opens Up to Apple Pay and Google Pay

Walmart has begun accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay in its US stores, marking a significant shift in its payment strategy. This move reverses Walmart's long-standing policy of only supporting its own mobile wallet app, Walmart Pay.

The decision to integrate third-party mobile wallets brings Walmart's in-store payment options closer to those of its peers, which already support tap-to-pay transactions using digital wallets. This expansion allows customers who rely on Apple and Google for other services to use their preferred payment methods at checkout.

Walmart's embracing of Apple Pay and Google Pay is part of a larger effort to diversify its income streams beyond traditional retail. The company has been investing in various high-margin business areas, such as Walmart Connect, marketplace, and membership programs like Walmart+.