As we approach the fifth anniversary of Apple Pay in Canada, one major retailer is set to finally jump on board with tap payments and mobile wallets—Walmart Canada.
Walmart Canada stores do not accept tap payments but that is changing soon. According to the retailer, it confirmed to iPhone in Canada reader @Shawzborne tap payments are coming in November, in a response on Twitter.
“Hello. Tap payment is on its way and customers can expect to see it in stores in November,” said Walmart Canada on Wednesday evening.
According to @Shawzborne, payment terminals within Walmart Canada stores have been changed or are in the process of converting to tap terminals. Below is a picture he shared of the new tap terminals, which are from Mississauga-based Ingenico. This was taken at the Pickering Walmart in Ontario.
These are Lane/7000 terminals that support EMV chip and PIN, EMV chip and sign, magstripe transactions, plus “the broadest range of contactless NFC, mobile wallet, and alternative payment methods,” explains the Ingenico website.
Walmart Canada held out from Apple Pay due to interchange fees, and the lack of tap payment support has long been a major pain point when shopping at stores. In the United States, Walmart tried their own mobile payment option called Walmart Pay, to rival Apple Pay.
The fast-track of tap payments in Canada may have been assisted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as retailers are trying hard to reduce touch points at stores.
Earlier this summer, Walmart Canada announced it was planning to invest $3.5 billion to create ‘smart stores’, improve online shopping and more. At the time, the company said customers could expect “a new checkout experience to reduce touchpoints, including tap-to-pay, new bigger self-checkout and “Check Out With Me” mobile payment technology to allow associates to checkout customers anywhere in the store.”
Are you excited to use Apple Pay and tap payments at Walmart Canada stores soon?
