Wal-Mart Stores announced that customers will now be able to start paying for items with their smartphone using its mobile payment app called Walmart Pay.
The introduction of Walmart Pay could challenge other mobile payment systems such as Android Pay, Apple Pay and the Merchant Customer Exchange. The retail giant is the first retailer offering its own payment solution that works with any Android or iOS device, with any major debit and credit card as well as prepaid or Walmart gift card.
Wal-Mart plans to roll out its mobile payment solution on Thursday in select stores near its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. The retail giant intends to complete a nationwide launch in the first half of 2016, according to Daniel Eckert, the company’s senior vice president of services.
Walmart Pay makes shopping easier and faster
According to the retail giant, Walmart Pay was designed to improve the checkout experience of customers and to expand the mobile payment access.
In a statement, Neil Ashe, president and CEO of Walmart Global eCommerce said, “The Walmart app was built to make shopping faster and easier. Walmart Pay is the latest example – and a powerful addition – of how we are transforming the shopping experience by seamlessly connecting online, mobile and stores for the 140 million customers who shop with us weekly.”
Wal-Mart said the checkout process using Walmart Pay is done in three easy steps:
1. Open: Visit any register, open the Walmart app and choose Walmart Pay. Activate the camera.
2. Scan: At any time during checkout, simply scan the code displayed at the register. Walmart Pay is now connected.
3. Done: Associate scans and bags the items… and it’s done. An eReceipt will be sent to the app and can be viewed at any time.
“The simplicity and ease of Walmart Pay come not only from how it works but also in how it’s been built. We made a strategic decision to design Walmart Pay to work with almost any smartphone and accept almost any payment type – even allowing for the integration of other mobile wallets in the future. The result is an innovation that will make the ease of mobile payments a reality for millions of Americans.”
Wal-Mart has 22 million mobile app users
Wal-Mart Stores said 22 million customers are actively using its mobile app every month. The Walmart app is among the top three retail apps on Google Play and Apple Store. Customers use the retail giant’s mobile app to avail discounts, locate items within stores, refill prescriptions, and to pick up an online order.
