Today, America’s biggest retailer releases Walmart Pay. It’s Walmart’s own mobile pay service, kind of like Apple Pay. Walmart Pay is being tested in 600 stores throughout Texas and in it’s home state of Arkansas.
It should be made clear: Walmart Pay is not a part of Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or any other mobile pay entity. Walmart Pay is it’s own entity and it’s competing with other mobile pay companies. In the next few weeks, Walmart Pay will spread in the Midwest and Plain States. Walmart Pay is available on Apple and Android devices and works with all major bank cards and Walmart gift cards. When you buy at any Walmart in this part of the country, open the Walmart app and hit Walmart Pay. Scan the QR code on the register screen, using the phone camera to connect to Walmart Pay. The app will give you an electronic receipt. Walmart Senior VP Daniel Eckert embraces Walmart Pay not only as another payment system, but as a way of improving the checkout experience altogether. This is just Walmart’s latest attempt to get in the good graces of the technology community. They’ve got a subdivision in the Silicon Valley. They’re also working on drones to deliver their groceries to customers.
But one thing about this boggles my mind. Walmart leaders insists this isn’t to compete with Apple, Samsung, or Google Pay. But yet none of them are accepted at any Walmart. This includes those 45 or so states that won’t see Walmart Pay anytime soon. I smell at best, a strategy and at worst, a lie. If they’re not trying to compete, then why are they setting up shop in Silicon Valley, the tech capital of America? Why are they trying to do like Amazon and set up drone services? Does Walmart think we’re stupid? Of course they’re competing. But how will this retailer do against the big boys of technology? Are they in the same league? Or have they bitten off more than they can chew?