Walmart to Roll Out Tap-to-Pay Across US Stores and Sam's Club by 2026
The retail giant is adopting NFC payments, ending years of reliance on its proprietary QR-code system.
Walmart will begin implementing NFC tap-to-pay capabilities at select US stores and Sam's Club warehouses starting August 24. The move brings the retail giant in line with industry standards for contactless payments, allowing customers to use digital wallets and contactless cards at checkout.
The rollout will start at a limited number of locations, with the company aiming to have all US stores and clubs supporting the feature by the end of 2026. Additionally, the company plans to extend tap-to-pay functionality to its fuel stations by mid-2027. A Walmart spokesperson told The Verge that the new capability is a "great addition" to existing payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and the company's own digital system.
The End of the QR Era
For years, Walmart remained one of the few major US retailers to resist Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the backbone of Apple Pay and Google Pay. Instead, the company pushed "Walmart Pay," a proprietary system that required shoppers to open the Walmart app and scan a QR code at the register. This approach was frequently criticized by consumers who found the process cumbersome compared to the single-tap convenience offered by competitors.
Why the Shift Matters
By adopting NFC, Walmart is removing a significant point of friction for millions of shoppers who rely on smartwatches and mobile wallets. The transition signals a surrender to the prevailing habits of the modern consumer, where speed and convenience at the point of sale are paramount. For the retailer, the shift is expected to increase checkout efficiency and improve overall customer satisfaction by aligning its infrastructure with the global standard for digital payments.
What's Next
As the rollout progresses through 2025 and 2026, the industry will be watching to see if the adoption of tap-to-pay leads to a decline in the usage of the proprietary Walmart Pay app. While the company continues to support its own system, the integration of Apple Pay and Google Pay marks a pivot toward an open payment ecosystem. The final phase of the transition will be the integration of these systems into fuel pumps by 2027, completing the company's modernization of the checkout experience.