Walmart prioritises card payments during coronavirus outbreak

Walmart is asking customers to use debit and credit cards instead of cash during the coronavirus outbreak as it grapples with a US-wide coin shortage.

“Like most retailers, we’re experiencing the effects of the shortage. We’re asking customers to pay with card or use correct change when possible if they need to pay with cash,” company spokesperson Avani Dudhia says.

Also of interest: Walmart and Sam’s Club require shoppers to wear face coverings

Notes and coins can still be used at stores, but some self-checkouts have been changed to card only.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said during a recent hearing with the House Financial Services Committee: "What's happened is, with the partial closure of the economy, the flow of coins through the economy has... kind of stopped. The places where you'd go to give your coins and get credit... those have not been working."

“Walmart can ask, so long as they accept NO. I am, however, wary of the language of the spokesperson, “we are asking customers to pay the exact amount if they NEED to use cash,” Ron Delnevo, Chairman at Cash and Card Consultants, said in a LinkedIn post.

“WANT, not need, is the key word. Payment choice is for ALL,” he added.