The nation, no the entire world, is on the verge of a breakout of vendors accepting mobile payments for retail purchases. As big as Google is, they started the push with their Google Wallet and is further refining it with their forthcoming Android Pay when Android M is soon released. Samsung is also pushing with their Samsung Pay and have already tested it in other countries and it is getting set for its US launch in September. While some retailers and banks were dragging their feet, it was Apple that actually is helping to speed things along with its Apple Pay – sad, but true that it took Apple to light a fire under the entire process, but that’s okay, as Android users will benefit from it as well.
Mobile payments got a big boost this morning from one of the nation’s leading drugstores, as the nearly 4600 Rite Aid stores in 31 states announced that starting August 15, they will start accepting mobile payments. That will include Apple Pay and Google Wallet for now and they will also accept Android Pay when it arrives. Because they will also accept all tap and pay credit and debit cards, they will automatically accept Samsung Pay since it follows the Tap and Pay procedure.
Ken Martindale, CEO of Rite Aid stores and president of Rite Aid Corporation said, “Increasingly, consumers are actively seeking out and incorporating mobile technology into many facets of their life, including their shopping and purchasing decisions. By accepting mobile payments, we’re able to offer Rite Aid customers an easy and convenient checkout process, which we know is important to them. Investing in mobile technologies is just one piece of Rite Aid’s evolving digital strategy and we will continue to explore, test and implement innovative technologies that will help us to better serve our valued customers.”
Rite Aid has always been a progressive store that continues to come up with ways to attract customers from the big Sam’s Club and mail-order prescription services – such as the convenient drive-thru pharmacy pickups. By recognizing the inevitable changeover to mobile payments, Rite Aid is adding yet another convenience as a reason to purchase your drug products from them. Mobile payments will really take off later this year with Samsung Pay and next year as others jump on board.