Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has been accused of lagging behind in terms of innovation and technology. As of late, the company has taken several steps to try and catch up with competitors, including most notably Amazon. In December of 2015, Walmart introduced their new payment platform, Walmart Pay, which allows customers to pay for their purchases through their smartphones. Walmart stores throughout the country have now been upgraded to ensure compatibility with the system. Consumers can use their iOS and Android device to quickly checkout at any lane within eligible Walmart stores, while paying with their credit, debit, prepaid, or gift card.
The company’s President and CEO of Walmart Global eCommerce, Neil Ashe, admits the intention of the app is to make “shopping faster and easier”. According to Walmart, the company’s associated mobile application is used by approximately 22 million consumers actively each month. The Walmart app ranks among the top three retail applications within Google’s Play Store and the Apple iTunes Store. Suffice to say, the mobile app has proven to be a success amongst consumers throughout the country. The mobile app allows consumers to refill prescriptions, find a local store, and access Walmart’s Saving Catcher program.
The new Walmart Pay functionality will be a welcomed addition to the mobile app and will make it possible for consumers to complete their payments in just three simple steps. First, the customer will open the Walmart mobile application and access the Walmart Pay feature from the menu. Once the camera has been activated, the user can scan the code, which becomes visible at the register. This will connect Walmart Pay to the customer’s current lane. Once the associated has finished checking out the customer’s items, Walmart Pay will finish the payment and an eReceipt will be sent to the smartphone screen.
Of course, before any of this can happen, consumers will need to setup their credit cards within the Walmart Pay interface. Once credit cards have been added to their profile, they can be used repeatedly. Walmart has put out press releases throughout the week to inform customers of the availability of Walmart Pay in various states, including Hawaii, New York, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Tennessee. To learn more about the Walmart Pay feature, be sure to check out the company’s official website. To watch Walmart Pay in action, watch the demonstrative video here.