Walmart backs down on its stand against contactless payments with big Apple and Google Pay move
Walmart will this week start adding tap to pay options to its checkout stations at US stores and Sam's Club warehouses, with deployment set for completion by end of year. Fuel stations will be upgraded by mid-2027. This includes options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Walmart has long resisted the rise and rise of NFC-based payments, opting instead to go all in on its Walmart Pay app and Scan and Go app features for contactless payments.
In a LinkedIn post, Sam Amrani, Founder and CEO at PassBy, said: "Isn't it crazy to think that it's 2026 and Walmart doesn't accept Apple Pay? Until now that is. This has been a case of America's largest retailer vs America's largest consumer tech company."
He added: "Inevitably, Walmart Pay will go down as the largest attempt at creating a closed loop payment system. Its demise will be the final nail in the coffin for retailers trying to create proprietary payment rails for their ecosystem. Ultimately, convenience wins."
"The consumer is the kingmaker, and the result was clear, the convenience of Apple Pay was too important to the customer journey. It will make customers happier and Walmart - although adopting reluctantly - will see this lead to faster transaction times, happier customers and more visits."
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Payments will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
