Grocery shopping has become much easier with the increased use of various mobile payment systems. Now you don't have to carry cash with you all the time for your shopping. However, as Kroger is one of the most famous grocery stores in the USA, you might wonder, does Kroger take apple pay?
Kroger doesn't take Apple Pay. Although Kroger recently chose to test Apple Pay to see how well it worked and its compatibility with their system, it discontinued its work with Apple Pay after the trial period.
On the other hand, Kroger has its own payment option, even though it does not accept Apple Pay or Google Pay. In this article, I will discuss why Kroger doesn't support Apple Pay, along with a list of stores that take apple pay, for your convenience. I will also include some other information considering making your payment at Kroger that you might find helpful.
Why Doesn't Kroger Support Apple Pay?
Kroger does not support Apple Pay to promote their own payment application called Kroger Pay. Also, the lack of interest of people to pay using Apple Pay also contributed to why they don’t support it.
As the days go by, people use different payment methods that provide better security and ease of use. Apple Pay is an excellent method of payment for the iPhone holders. However, there are still plenty of reasons behind Kroger’s decision to not support this payment method.
The Launch of Kroger Pay
Kroger introduced its own payment method, Kroger Pay, which you can use on both Android and iPhone devices. When you check out, Kroger Pay generates a QR Code that you can only use once.
Fewer people will install the Kroger Pay application if Kroger accepts Apple Pay in their stores. As a result, Apple Pay is a direct competitor. However, if people use Kroger Pay instead, it will be highly beneficial to the business of Kroger.
If people use Kroger Pay, they will be able to track the purchases of their customers. They will also be able to ascertain the customer's purchasing habits and the products that the customer is most interested in. This enables them to send personalized discounts, deals, and coupons, increasing the likelihood of gaining a return customer.
As Kroger Pay is specially built for shopping at Kroger, they can easily integrate their loyalty and rewards program with it. As a result, you can easily connect your Kroger Pay wallet to your Kroger Rewards program.
It will allow you to earn rewards points automatically when you use Kroger Pay to make an eligible purchase. Integrating these facilities in a third-party application would have been much harder. However, in the Kroger Pay application, they have complete control over how these features are implemented.
Little Interest by Customers
Kroger launched a beta test in 61 stores across the United States to determine whether their system was compatible with Apple Pay and how well it worked. Customers, however, showed little interest in this trial run. As a result, they have decided not to accept Apple Pay in their stores.
Which Payment Methods Does Kroger Support?
Besides paying in cash, you can use a check for shopping in the Kroger store. Kroger also supports different digital payment methods such as Kroger pay, MasterCard, and Visa card.
Let's discuss some of the payment methods that Kroger supports-
Cash
No wonder, like any other shops, Kroger accepts cash as a payment method. However, due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, exchanging cash is highly discouraged in every store. Moreover, Kroger is now facing a coin shortage. So, they decided not to give coins as change. So, you might have to lose a few bucks if you plan to purchase from the shop through cash.
According to a report, a Kroger spokesman, Erin Rofles, confirmed that the retailer would only issue bills as change, not coins. Customers who pay cash will have a variety of options other than collecting coins from the supermarket chain.
Personal Checks
The good news is you can even use your check as a form of payment for in-store purchases at Kroger. However, you cannot use checks for home delivery orders or grocery pickup. Also, there are limits to using checks at Kroger. For example, if you are a first-time check user, you only have the permission to write checks up to $150, and also, you won't get your change back as cash.
When paying with a check at Kroger, you will need to show a state-issued ID. It can be a driver's license or a non-driver picture ID card issued by the state where you're shopping or a neighboring state. Besides, Kroger checks whether your check is safe to proceed with the use of Certegy.
Credit Cards
Kroger accepts different credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa card, and American Express cards as payment methods at their stores.
Although in 2018, the store stopped taking Visa cards for some time, it again started allowing these cards at all of its stores. So, at present, you can use almost all types of credit cards for paying your bill at Kroger stores.
Debit Cards
Kroger stores also allow paying with a debit card. So, if you want to pay with a debit card, you have to go to the payment section and swipe your card, unlike signing a check.
Debit transactions, particularly those using a PIN, settle rapidly. So you won't have much time to figure out if you need to transfer funds to your account to cover pending charges after the fact. If you don't have enough money on your card, it will usually get refused.
Kroger Pay
Kroger pay is the company's own mobile payment platform for an easy and smooth transaction.You can use Kroger pay at all Kroger stores for purchasing different items.
Besides, if you use this payment method, you can get tons of benefits while shopping at their store. I will discuss various details about Kroger pay further in the article.
About Kroger Pay: Kroger's Own Payment Method
Kroger Pay is a mobile payment app launched by Kroger Company for iOS and Android devices that is quick, safe, and simple to use.
It is a convenient, contactless, and secure way to pay at Kroger stores. Following the entry of a customer's bespoke PIN or biometrics, the app generates a one-time QR code that can be scanned at the terminal to swiftly communicate payment and loyalty card information, including digital coupons and personalized offers.
The single-step solution cuts checkout time for both store staff and consumers and delivers a more seamless experience. In addition, you can use Kroger pay at both traditional and self-checkout lines at Kroger stores.
Though you can have the opportunity to use Kroger pay at all Kroger stores in the USA, it is not presently accessible in Pharmacy drive-thru lanes. Moreover, you cannot use this payment method at Kroger Fuel Centers and some independent merchants within Kroger stores. Online usage facilities of this app are also not available currently.
You can get many benefits by using Kroger pay. The following are a few benefits of the Kroger Pay app:
Easy and Quick
You only have to scan the PIN-protected QR code once, and your job is done. So, you can quickly pay for your groceries at Kroger without any hassle if you have the app on your mobile.
Besides, most Americans are used to doing different tasks with their smartphone. Thus, making the payment with a device that they use frequently makes the procedure more accessible and quicker than before.
Highly Secured
It minimizes or diminishes the need for users to carry payment methods such as cash and credit cards, making them less likely to be misplaced or stolen. Besides, additional layers of biometric identification, such as PIN-protection and QR code scanning, prevents fraudulent payments.
When using Kroger pay to conduct a transaction, you are not required to give your card details or any other personal information, as is the case with credit cards. So, with the app, you can make payments safely, privately, and with high security.
Contact-free payment
Kroger Pay is a safe and secure way to pay for goods with no touch required. It is a part of the company's continued effort to safeguard and support our employees and customers. The app allows you to make contactless payments at the store. But, whether you use cash or even your credit or debit card, you still have the risk of getting infected by Coronavirus.
So, during the pandemic, the Kroger pay app is essential for maintaining social distance and contact-free transactions.
Win Rewards and Loyalty Point
Kroger pay allows you to incorporate loyalty and other reward programs, which provide added value to their customers. As a result, customers will be pleased and encouraged to return. Customers who pay with a Kroger pay can earn fuel points and food rewards with a single scan.
Moreover, you can link any major credit, debit, or prepaid card with Kroger Pay, which will help you get more reward points. For example, for every $1 of qualified net purchases, you will receive 1.5 fuel points that you can redeem toward discounted fuel purchases at Kroger Fuel Centers. Furthermore, you will receive a discount of 2% off the total cost of the company's Quality Brand Products on your future purchase with Kroger pay.
Which Grocery Stores Take Apple Pay?
Many mainstream stores accept Apple Pay. Such as Albertsons, ALDI, Cub Foods, Davis Food & Drug, Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy, and Food Maxx. Pavilions, Hannaford, Market Street, etc., also take apple pay.
Let’s learn more about paying with Apple Pay at these stores:
Albertsons
In October 2017, Albertsons Companies started accepting Apple Pay in all of its locations. The company owners wanted to make mobile payments quick, easy, and confidential. So, they began offering Apple Pay, which is one of the most well-known mobile payment methods.
The good news is when you pay with Apple Pay at Albertson, you will be able to take advantage of all the incentives and privileges that credit and debit cards have to offer. Moreover, at Albertsons, Apple Pay cashback transactions are always processed in the same way as other cashback purchases, with no additional fees.
Costco
One of the biggest grocery store companies "Costco" began its journey with Apple Pay in 2018. Well, the company takes apple pay at all in-store checkouts in the USA. However, Costco Canada still has not started accepting apple pay at their stores.
Apart from Apple Pay, the company also accepts Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Master cards, Visa card, etc. Besides, you can also get a Costco shop card and make payments with it for earning reward points, and cashback offers.
Walgreens
You can also use Apple Pay for purchasing at Walgreens. Walgreens have taken apple pay as a payment method at all of their stores for many years. However, in November 2015, the company officially launched the loyalty rewards program of apple pay for the first time.
Walgreens is the only store that offers 3% Daily Cash on Apple Card purchases made with Apple Pay. Customers will receive 3% cashback at Walgreens when they use their Apple Card with Apple Pay on all qualified health, beauty, personal care, domestic, and seasonal products, including medicines and prescriptions.
Target
After doing a test run for some time in November 2019, Target decided to start accepting Apple Pay at all of its stores. So, all 1,850 Target stores in the United States now take three of the most popular mobile payment systems- Apple pay, Google Pay, and Samsung pay.
However, Target has verified that REDcard holders will be unable to use Apple Pay with their cards. Target's REDcard gives customers 5% off everything they spend, as well as other perks like free shipping when they shop online.
Thus, even though the company started accepting Apple Pay, they encouraged REDcard holders to add their cards to the Target app on iOS instead of using Apple Pay.
Wegmans
Well, Wegmans is the first American retailer to link its loyalty program with Apple's mobile payment service.
Since the service's inception in October 2015, Wegmans customers have been able to use Apple Pay at 200,000 stores across the US. And even if you forget your card at home, you can still make purchases and get discounts if you use Apple Pay at Wegmans stores.
Mobile payment solutions can be highly advantageous because of the increased demand for contactless payment during the coronavirus outbreak. By now, you've got your answer to the question, "Does Kroger take apple pay?"
As the answer is no, you can use other payment options in the Kroger store and enjoy shopping. Thanks for reading through. Hopefully, you've found this article helpful. Best of luck!
