The 3 Major Grocery Stores That Do Not Accept Apple Pay

UPDATE 10/30/23: After publication, Kroger began accepting Apple Pay in some of its stores.

Digital wallets are all the rage these days as people look for convenient, contactless methods of making purchases at their favorite stores. For people with iPhones and Apple watches, Apple Pay enables the storage of bank and debit card information, which can be easily accessed using your mobile or handheld device. Simply place the phone or watch next to the pay terminal and your financial information is seamlessly transmitted. Additionally, Apple Pay can also be used for online purchases without the need to input all of your information line by line.

Along with the convenience it affords, Apple Pay is often considered more secure, since users don't need to worry about lost debit cards or money being stolen. And with a billion of iPhone users all over the globe, it stands to reason that more and more retailers would accept Apple Pay. That's why it's so surprising that a selection of three major grocery stores don't accept Apple Pay, much to the frustration of iPhone users in search of contactless convenience.

iPhone users visiting Sam's Club, Walmart, and some Kroger locations are in for a bit of an unwelcome surprise if they think they can use Apple Pay at the checkout stand of these establishments. While they're certainly not the only stores that don't accept Apple Pay, these chains are notable because of their size and reach. However, it's important to note that Apple Pay can be used at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Target, and other establishments.

Both Kroger and Walmart have their own forms of digital payment that customers are free to use. As for Sam's Club, the retail warehouse chain has never officially stated a reason why it does not accept Apple Pay. It's believed that the decision is based on the costly transaction fees charged by Apple. Similarly, Sam's Club also refuses to accept Google Pay and only honors VISA Checkout for online purchases. However, the chain does offer customers a digital wallet option, one that's compatible with Apple and Android devices.

Sam's Club has developed its own app for contactless purchases. While other grocery store apps are designed to save customers money, the Scan & Go app saves time by allowing customers to conveniently use their mobile device when shopping to skip the lines. Upon downloading the app, customers can use their phone camera to scan items. Once shopping is complete, the customer can pay their bill via their phone, which then generates a digital receipt that must be presented to a staff member before leaving the store.

Along with creating a more convenient shopping experience, the Scan & Go app also provides some great savings to customers. Special items across a wide range of categories, including snack foods, seasonings, sports drinks, and more, are eligible for some great discounts when you download the app. Additionally, you can enjoy savings in-store and online, as well as sort through available offers using filters to narrow down your search. While Sam's Club opts not to join the Apple Pay revolution, their proprietary app shows that the future is indeed digital at your favorite grocery stores.