Walgreens, CVS Expected to Partner With Apple for Mobile Payments Service

[MacRumors]

Popular drugstores Walgreens and CVS are expected to partner with Apple on its upcoming mobile payments initiative, accepting purchases made with the company's new iPhone payment system, reports Re/code.

CVS and Walgreens are expected to accept purchases made with the new iPhone payment system, details of which Apple plans to announce Tuesday, according to a person briefed on the plans. With more than 15,000 locations combined, acceptance by the two chains will give Apple a huge footprint if all of their stores are involved.

Earlier this week, Apple was rumored to be partnering with retailer Nordstrom, leading to fears that its upcoming payments service would be limited to higher-end retailers, but it appears that Apple will also be aiming to sign deals with stores people visit regularly. As noted by Re/code, getting stores that people frequent on board could lead to quick acceptance of the new mobile payment service.

EasyPay mobile payments concept by Ricardo Del Toro​

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Re/code's report also divulges some information on how the system might work, allowing shoppers to "wave or tap" their iPhones at checkout terminals. The service is said to work over NFC, transmitting payment information from the phone when the device is near the store's checkout area. NFC may, however, be supplemented by other wireless technologies, and Touch ID is expected to be integrated into the system for added security.

Sources caution that Apple's payment system may in some cases employ additional wireless technologies either in conjunction with, or in place of, NFC. The new payment method will also likely include the use of fingerprint identification already available on the latest iPhones as an added security measure.

In addition to inking deals with various retailers to support the system, Apple has also established deals with major credit card companies Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, as well as credit card issuers.

Apple is expected to unveil its mobile payments service on Tuesday, along with the iPhone 6 and its much-anticipated wearable device. Both the iWatch and the iPhone 6 are said to play an important role in the new mobile payment service, as the two devices are rumored to include support for NFC.

Article Link: Walgreens, CVS Expected to Partner With Apple for Mobile Payments Service

 

[ianKent]

Can't wait to go gum-shopping wih my $400 watch.

 

[jayducharme]

Sources caution that Apple's payment system may in some cases employ additional wireless technologies either in conjunction with, or in place of, NFC.

I hope this doesn't mean that you'd have to log on to the store's WiFi in order to process a transaction. That could open up a whole ugly can of worms.

 

[Dulcimer]

I don't understand Apple's mobile payments service. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I thought they signed on with the major credit card companies, so wouldn't you just use your iPhone in place of your credit card? What's the purpose of signing on these stores?

 

[Patriot24]

I hope this doesn't mean that you'd have to log on to the store's WiFi in order to process a transaction. That could open up a whole ugly can of worms.

Bluetooth LE?

 

[3282868]

But the question remains, does it work in Germany? (j/k of course, ref. link below)

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1770295/

 

[irfan22]

Hopefully they partner with major groceries stores next.

 

[fallenjt]

I don't understand Apple's mobile payments service. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I thought they signed on with the major credit card companies, so wouldn't you just use your iPhone in place of your credit card? What's the purpose of signing on these stores?

Security because if these CC companies don't approve iPhone payment, any fraud committed because of the phone won't be protected by CC companies.

 

[darkslide29]

I don't understand Apple's mobile payments service. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I thought they signed on with the major credit card companies, so wouldn't you just use your iPhone in place of your credit card? What's the purpose of signing on these stores?

The stores will need the modules that can accept this form of payment. Some stores already have NFC terminals, but this may go beyond that (the article says other wireless technologies. Maybe bluetooth/iBeacon? Who knows at this point..)

 

[TouchMint.com]

So if you are linking your major credit card wouldn't they be providing shops etc with equipment? What is the point if partnering with the individual retailers?

 

[bobdard]

I don't understand Apple's mobile payments service. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I thought they signed on with the major credit card companies, so wouldn't you just use your iPhone in place of your credit card? What's the purpose of signing on these stores?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. Thankfully not long before we do.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Can't wait to go gum-shopping wih my $400 watch.

That's funny, I find Walgreens and CVS to have a **** ton more than gum...

 

[jlake02]

CVS rocks! Love that place.

 

[fallenjt]

So if you are linking your major credit card wouldn't they be providing shops etc with equipment? What is the point if partnering with the individual retailers?

Retailers have their own customized equipment.

 

[Zwhaler]

Cool, two of my least favorite stores (I like CVS less than Walgreens, however).

 

[juanrp]

I need Walmart to get on this list because its the only place I'll be able to shop at after I drop the money for this phone.

 

[Solver]

Within five years you will be able to use a wearable to buy a loaf of bread just about anywhere, for about $20. For the loaf.

 

[BruiserB]

The more proprietary this is, the less universal it will become. My hope is it will work with any terminal that can take NFC enabled cards and that is also compatible with Android phones, etc.

If Apple wants to enhance the functionality by integrating store loyalty cards, etc. on a retailer by retailer basis, I'm fine with that, but I hope basic payment functionality is widely available at any store that has an NFC enabled card reader.

 

[fallenjt]

Can't wait to go gum-shopping wih my $400 watch.

LOL...buy some birthday cards too...

I would not buy an iWatch if it's not equipped with NFC or equivalent and Touch ID for authentication.
I saw people got hacked by contactless smart card scanner even when their credit cards are still in the purse or wallet. The guy with the contactless card scanner stands very close to the victim on the escalator and boom, her credit card got read and they used it to buy stuffs online.

 

[nagromme]

I don't understand Apple's mobile payments service. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I thought they signed on with the major credit card companies, so wouldn't you just use your iPhone in place of your credit card? What's the purpose of signing on these stores?

It's only rumor currently--no details actually known.

 

[SirLance99]

This is funny as I just used my Google Wallet at Walgreens. The cashier was amazed. Told her she'll here about it a lot next week. Driving to Meijer now and will use it there as well.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Can't wait to go gum-shopping wih my $400 watch.

This watch wil be monitoring your health. Gum is bad for your teeth so it won't let you buy gum.

 

[Populism]

That works well for me. I buy all my headphones, speaker systems, and blank cassettes at CVS.

 

[SirLance99]

I hope this doesn't mean that you'd have to log on to the store's WiFi in order to process a transaction. That could open up a whole ugly can of worms.

Umm, no. You swipe and go. You will need an Internet connection but it take so little data you don't need to worry about your data plan.

 

[patrick001]

Can't wait to go gum-shopping wih my $400 watch.

This comment gives me the impression that you're missing the point. The convenience of using this watch will save you time in the long-run as you're doing your daily activities. You're not only investing in the watch but you're also investing in your time, so to speak.