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Walmart launches tap to pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay starting aug. 24. Published on 21 August 2026 at 12:16 pm - Written by Chris Martin - Reading duration: 2 minutes Walmart is launching tap-to-pay support with Apple Pay and Google Pay starting August 24, ending a decade-long holdout against contactless payment methods at the nation's largest retailer. The rollout will begin at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations on August 24, with plans to expand to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026 and fuel stations by mid-2027, according to a company announcement. Customers will be able to use eligible contactless cards, phones, or smartwatches, and can add their Walmart and Sam's Club cards to digital wallets including Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Walmart's decision marks a significant shift for a retailer that has long resisted Apple Pay and other NFC-based payments. In January 2026, just months before this announcement, Walmart reiterated its commitment to its own payment systems, stating it did not accept NFC payments and instead promoted Walmart Pay and Scan and Go as more convenient solutions. Walmart Pay, launched in 2016, uses QR code technology rather than NFC tap-to-pay, requiring customers to scan a code from their Walmart app at checkout. Scan and Go allows Walmart+ and Sam's Club members to scan items as they shop and bypass traditional checkout entirely. Both systems tie transactions directly to customer Walmart accounts, giving the retailer detailed purchase data for targeting and marketing purposes. The primary reason Walmart resisted Apple Pay was data collection. Unlike Walmart Pay, Apple Pay uses tokenization technology that prevents merchants from seeing actual card details or building detailed customer profiles. When customers use Apple Pay or other third-party digital wallets, Walmart receives far less transaction information than it does from its proprietary systems. Joining the majority of retailers. Walmart's move follows similar reversals by other major retailers that held out against contactless payments. Kroger, which refused Apple Pay for nine years, began accepting it in April 2023, according to American Banker. Home Depot launched Apple Pay support in October 2024, and H-E-B followed suit in October 2024 as well. Tap-to-pay technology is now accepted at more than 85% of retailers across the U.S., making Walmart's previous stance increasingly isolated. The expansion reflects broader consumer expectations for mobile payment options and the maturation of contactless technology as a standard payment method rather than a niche feature. The rollout will occur alongside Walmart's existing payment methods, including traditional cards, cash, and its proprietary systems. This approach gives customers flexibility while maintaining Walmart's ability to collect data through its own app-based payments for those who choose to use them. Sources. * 9to5Mac - Walmart announcement of August 24 launch date and rollout timeline; decade-long holdout context; Kroger, Home Depot, and H-E-B adoption details * mlive.com - Confirmation of tap-to-pay rollout details and 85% retailer adoption rate * American Banker - Kroger's nine-year Apple Pay boycott and April 2023 acceptance Give your feedback. Chris Martin is a US economics and current affairs journalist covering the intersection of policy, markets, and everyday financial life. With a background in financial reporting and a sharp eye for the stories behind the numbers, Chris brings clarity to some of the most complex issues shaping the American economy today. At ECIKS.org, Chris covers breaking developments across domestic economic policy, business strategy, Wall Street movements, and political decisions that ripple through financial markets. His reporting blends rigorous data analysis with accessible storytelling making critical information useful for investors, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens alike. ECIKS.org is an independent media. Support ECIKS by adding ECIKS to your Google News favorites:

Walmart to launch support for Apple Pay next week after years of resistance. Walmart has announced that it will begin rolling out support for Apple Pay next week, marking a significant shift for the retailer after over a decade of resistance to the payment method. This development comes amid increasing pressure from consumers who have long sought the convenience of Apple's contactless payment system. The rollout will start on August 24 at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations, with plans to extend the feature to all stores across the United States by the end of the year. Additionally, Walmart aims to implement Apple Pay support at its fuel stations by mid-2027. The company stated, "Tap to Pay gives customers and members another familiar and convenient way to pay at checkout using contactless payment methods." This feature allows customers to use eligible contactless cards, phones, or smartwatches for their purchases, enhancing the shopping experience by streamlining the checkout process. Stay ahead of the curve! This announcement is particularly notable as Walmart has been one of the last major holdouts against Apple Pay, having previously favored its own QR code-based payment solution, Walmart Pay. With this change, Walmart is expected to attract more customers who prefer using Apple Pay for their transactions.

Target and Walmart are leaning on grocery to navigate economic challenges, with each retailer taking a distinct approach, according to their second-quarter earnings results. Target's food and beverage sales grew 7.2%, outpacing its roughly 3% comparable store sales increase. The retailer has focused on product discovery, trendiness and revamping its centre store selection to revive its reputation. Walmart's US grocery category recorded mid-single-digit comparable growth, exceeding its 2.6% comparable-store sales increase excluding fuel. The company is emphasising low prices and convenience through meal delivery options and temporary price cuts. "Our price gaps to conventional grocers here in the US are strong, and they continue to widen," said Walmart CEO John Furner. Both strategies align with each retailer's core brand identity whilst helping them maintain resilience amid food affordability concerns and rising costs.