Does Kroger Accept Apple Pay?

When it comes to shopping, digital wallets and contactless payment methods have become increasingly popular, offering speed, security, and ease of use. With over 45 million active users in the US alone, Apple Pay stands out as a widely adopted solution, allowing users to purchase with a simple tap of their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. However, some retailers tend to skip certain forms of digital payment.

Does Kroger take Apple Pay? Whether you are a regular Kroger shopper or planning your first visit, this article will help you navigate the payment landscape at this store, making your grocery shopping as convenient as possible.

Kroger’s History with Apple Pay

When Apple Pay was introduced in 2014, it quickly gained traction due to its convenience, security, and ease of use, as well as thanks to the booming popularity of Apple mobile gadgets. Though not as popular as PayPal, Apple Pay has become widely favored by the younger generation, giving preference to mobile payment methods. So, many retailers jumped on board to offer their customers the option of making contactless payments using their iOS devices. However, Kroger chose a different path.

With over 2,800 retail stores in 35 states, Kroger is by far the largest supermarket chain, serving 11 million US customers a day. Similar to other industry giants like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, Kroger initially refused to integrate Apple Pay into its payment system and became one of the most prominent holdouts in the US.

The company’s reluctance was rooted in a desire to promote its own payment solutions and manage transaction costs more effectively. Thus, launched in 2019, Kroger Pay allowed consumers to link their credit or debit cards to the Kroger app and make purchases by scanning a QR code at checkout. While this offered an alternative digital payment method, it still left many Apple users disappointed.

It took the company nearly a decade to make a decision for Kroger to accept Apple Pay. In 2023, customers reported that they could use Apple Pay at Kroger at select locations in Kentucky and Ohio. The same was true for its subsidiary chain, Fred Meyer, which also introduced Apple Pay to its stores in the Northwest.

Generally, such a move could be perceived as a trial phase, allowing Kroger to assess the benefits and customer response before possibly rolling it out nationwide.

Does Kroger Have Apple Pay Now?

Consumers welcomed the shift toward teaming with Apple with great enthusiasm. But can you use Apple Pay at Kroger today? The answer is “no.” This shift has not been completed. In reply to a customer question, the company’s representative stated that they discontinued the test version of Apple Pay due to little consumer interest and have no intention to renew it.

Obviously enough, the company’s major concern here is competition from third-party services like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. The retailer focuses on maintaining traditional payment methods like cash, bank cards, or checks and promoting its branded digital wallet.

Consider Using Kroger Pay

Speaking of Kroger Pay, it makes a decent alternative to Apple. This mobile payment solution is integrated into the app, which is available to iOS and Android users alike. Kroger Pay combines the benefits of digital payments with Kroger’s loyalty program, enabling customers to earn and redeem cashback and rewards. It also supports contactless transactions in offline stores.

To use it, you simply need to:

• Download the Kroger app and sign in to your account;
• Link your preferred payment method to the app;
• At checkout, open the app and navigate to Kroger Pay;
• Scan the QR code displayed at the point-of-sale terminal.

Kroger Pay is available in all in-store locations in the Kroger Family of companies, including fuel centers.

When will Kroger use Apple Pay, though? For now, shoppers should utilize the available payment options. Yet, it’s worth noting that the company’s subsidiary, Ralphs, has already adopted Apple Pay. This could indicate a broader strategy within the Kroger family of stores to embrace more digital wallet options, aligning with customer demands for flexibility and convenience in their shopping experiences. So, let’s stay optimistic about the potential for Apple Pay’s acceptance at other Kroger locations in the future.