Walmart is finally changing its checkout process. Starting this Monday, the retailer will introduce tap-to-pay options at select stores and Sam’s Club locations across the United States. This move marks a departure from the company’s previous strategy of relying strictly on its proprietary Walmart Pay system and QR code scanning.
This technology allows customers to use Apple Pay and Google Pay at the register. For years, shoppers have requested these features, which are currently available at approximately 85% of retail locations nationwide. Walmart representatives state that this shift is intended to provide customers with more flexibility in how they manage their money and complete transactions.
While the company has not released a specific list of launch locations, the rollout will expand to all stores and clubs by the end of this year. Fuel stations associated with Walmart and Sam’s Club are scheduled to receive the technology by the middle of 2027.
This decision ends a long period of resistance from the world’s largest retailer. In the past, Walmart even attempted to create a competitor to mobile payment systems called CurrentC, which shut down in 2016. By adopting standard tap-to-pay technology, the company acknowledges the changing preferences of its customer base and moves toward a more conventional checkout experience.