Walmart today announced Walmart Pay, its own mobile payment service for in-store purchases.
Rather than rely on NFC or MST wireless technology, purchases are conducted through the Walmart app. This is what makes the service compatible with any Android phone and any iPhone.
Customers can add most any credit or debit card to the Walmart app for supporting purchases. At checkout, users need to open the app and launch the camera. Using the camera, customers scan a code displayed at the register. This activates the transaction. The associate scans and bags the items and the final amount due is taken from the credit/debit card associated with the app. Customers will receive an electronic receipt that is saved in the app.
Walmart Pay will be added to select stores beginning this month. Walmart expects to complete a nationwide rollout by the first half of next year. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Android Pay all allow users to tap their phones on retail payment terminals to make purchases, rather than open an app and scan a code. Walmart has resisted supporting these competitive mobile payment services in favor of its own
