Walmart (NYSE:WMT) is introducing contactless payments across its US stores and Sam’s Club locations, ending years as one of the last major retailers without broad support for the technology.The retailer announced on August 21, 2026, that Tap to Pay will begin appearing at selected Walmart and Sam’s Club sites starting August 24.
The company plans to extend the capability to every US store and club by the end of 2026, with fuel stations following by mid-2027.
Shoppers will be able to complete transactions by holding an eligible contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch near the payment terminal.
This includes popular digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, along with other compatible contactless methods.
Customers and members can also load eligible Walmart, Sam’s Club, and OnePay cards into supported digital wallets, enabling those cards to work through the same tap interface.
The new option sits alongside existing methods rather than replacing them.
Shoppers can still use cash, traditional credit or debit cards, or Walmart Pay, the company’s app-based system that lets users scan a QR code, view receipts, and access Walmart+ fuel discounts.
At Sam’s Club, members retain the ability to use Scan & Go, which allows scanning items while shopping and paying through the app without a conventional checkout line.
For more than a decade, Walmart stood out by not accepting near-field communication (NFC) payments in its US stores.
While competitors widely adopted contactless cards and mobile wallets, Walmart promoted its proprietary tools, arguing they delivered a consistent experience and additional features.
Customer requests for standard tap-to-pay options grew steadily, especially as the technology became routine at most other large retailers.
The shift now prioritizes greater flexibility at checkout, letting people pay in the manner that feels most convenient for them whether grabbing groceries, household goods, or other everyday items.
Contactless payments typically speed up the final step of a shopping trip. Instead of inserting or swiping a card, customers simply hold their device or card near the reader.
This can reduce handling time and may appeal to shoppers who prefer keeping physical cards in a wallet or bag.
The expansion also applies to Walmart’s websites and apps, creating more consistency between digital and in-store experiences.
The phased rollout means availability will vary by location in the early weeks.
Shoppers should check whether their nearest store or club has activated the feature before relying solely on a phone or contactless card.
Once fully deployed, the change is expected to align Walmart more closely with broader retail norms while preserving the tools many existing customers already use.
The addition reflects a focus on simplifying the end of the shopping journey.
By offering familiar contactless methods next to its longstanding options, Walmart aims to give customers and Sam’s Club members more ways to complete purchases quickly and on their own terms. Fuel pumps will take longer to upgrade, so drivers will continue using current payment processes at stations until the mid-2027 window.