Walmart is ending its long-standing resistance to contactless payments by introducing tap-to-pay support across its U.S. retail locations. Starting August 24, customers will be able to use NFC-based payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Wallet, at select Walmart and Sam’s Club stores. The company confirmed that this rollout will expand to all of its U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026, with fuel stations scheduled to receive the capability by mid-2027.
For years, the retailer remained one of the most prominent holdouts against industry-standard contactless payments. Instead, Walmart funneled shoppers toward its proprietary Walmart Pay system, which requires users to scan a QR code generated within the Walmart app. This approach allowed the company to maintain control over the checkout process and track consumer spending habits. While the new tap-to-pay system is being introduced, Walmart stated that existing payment options, including cash, physical credit and debit cards, and the Walmart Pay app, will remain available to customers.
The shift follows a broader industry trend where major retailers that previously resisted NFC payments have reversed course. Other large chains, including The Home Depot, Kroger, and Lowe's, have implemented tap-to-pay systems in recent years. Walmart’s decision to adopt the technology aligns its U.S. operations with its Canadian stores, which have accepted Apple Pay since 2020.
In its announcement, Walmart emphasized that the move is intended to provide customers with more flexibility at checkout. The company did not explicitly name the specific third-party services in its initial press release, but the compatibility of Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Wallet with the new system has been confirmed. The update marks a significant change in strategy for the retailer, which had previously prioritized its own payment ecosystem over the convenience of universal contactless standards.