Walmart announced on Friday that it will begin supporting tap-to-pay mobile payment services, specifically Apple Pay and Google Pay, at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. The rollout is scheduled to commence on August 24, 2024. Following this initial phase, the company plans to expand support to all of its U.S. stores by the end of 2026, with gas stations expected to follow by mid-2027.

This move marks a significant shift in Walmart’s digital payment strategy. For years, the retailer remained a notable holdout against popular third-party mobile wallets, opting instead to promote its proprietary 'Walmart Pay' system, which was introduced in 2016. Prior to that, Walmart had attempted to establish its own mobile payment ecosystem through the short-lived CurrentC service. The decision to adopt Apple Pay and Google Pay brings the retail giant in line with most other major U.S. retailers, addressing a long-standing point of friction for customers who prefer using their mobile devices for contactless transactions.