After years of relying on swiped and chip-based card transactions, Walmart is finally bringing Tap to Pay functionality to its U.S. retail locations and Sam’s Club stores, giving customers access to this popular contactless payment method for the first time.
Rollout kicks off in August nationwide
Walmart has revealed that, beginning August 24, select stores will offer Tap to Pay, with the feature launching simultaneously at some Sam’s Club outlets throughout the country. This upgrade will enable shoppers at participating venues to use smartphones, smartwatches, or contactless credit and debit cards for a faster, more streamlined checkout experience comparable to what other U.S. retailers already provide.
Wider payment choices and digital wallet integration
As the rollout continues, Walmart allows customers to add Walmart, Sam’s Club, or OnePay cards to their digital wallets, expanding their payment options. In addition to being able to use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and similar contactless solutions, customers will have the choice to pay directly with store-branded cards via their mobile devices. Traditional forms of payment—including cash, credit cards, and Walmart Pay—remain available as well.
This evolution modernizes the in-store checkout for Walmart by supporting the prevalent contactless payment trend across America, whereas shoppers previously had to rely solely on Walmart Pay—a QR code-based system that did not support NFC and wasn’t compatible with widely used payment apps.
Rollout completed by year’s end
All Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in the U.S. are set to have Tap to Pay available before the year is over, following the initial August 24 introduction, according to the company. For fuel pumps at Walmart gas stations, the transition will be slower, with full Tap to Pay compatibility expected by mid-2027.
In their announcement, Walmart reassured customers: “You can, of course, continue to pay for your items with cash, credit cards, or Walmart Pay,” highlighting that Tap to Pay is an extra choice and existing systems will remain in use.
Customer expectations drive change
Walmart made this shift after customers consistently requested easier and more secure ways to pay. With contactless transactions now common at retailers nationwide, Walmart’s move to adopt Tap to Pay brings it up to pace with competitors that already offer this technology as a standard payment feature.
Customers should see new Tap to Pay terminals being installed over the upcoming months. While the majority of stores are expected to support the updated system by the busy holiday shopping period, contactless payment at Walmart gas stations will arrive no sooner than 2027.
Updated information regarding the rollout and store participation is available in Walmart’s official press release.