Kroger is a grocery store that specializes in selling fresh food.
It’s known for its focus on high-quality food and other products.
Because of its high-quality food selection, Kroger has a very strong following.
If you’ve been thinking of shopping at Kroger, then you may wonder if the store accepts Apple Pay.
Before you head to your local Kroger, it’s worth finding out if you’re going to be able to use your iPhone to pay for your groceries.
Does Kroger Take Apple Pay?
No, Kroger does not take Apple Pay.
Kroger is one of the few major grocery stores that have yet to embrace Apple Pay.
Part of the reason is an interest in pushing its own contactless form of payment called Kroger Pay.
It functions very similarly to Apple Pay.
As such, if you want to use a mobile, contactless method of paying for your groceries, then you’re going to need to sign up for Kroger Pay.
Why Doesn’t Kroger Take Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is becoming more and more popular as a payment method.
Stores are seeing the advantage of having easy, efficient, and secure means of transferring funds.
Despite the benefits of using Apple Pay, Kroger has refused to adopt the partnership.
Here are a few reasons why Kroger might be refusing to take Apple Pay.
1. They Can Avoid Fees
One of the reasons why some companies like Kroger have decided to stay away from Apple Pay is because of the fees.
In order to use Apple Pay, stores have to pay a fee for each transaction.
The customer doesn’t pay the fees, but the store does.
If the store processes a lot of Apple Pay transactions each day, then they end up paying many fees.
It cuts into their profits.
Businesses that want to avoid that and maintain their profit margins aren’t going to have an interest in using Apple Pay.
It doesn’t make sense, especially if their main customer base isn’t interested in using Apple Pay.
Kroger may not take Apple Pay because of the fees that they need to pay Apple.
2. They Use Kroger Pay
While Kroger doesn’t want to take Apple Pay, the store does recognize that people are turning to more digital means of making transactions.
There’s demand out there for contactless payments, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
People want safe, secure, and germ-free means of paying for their food.
In an effort to meet that demand, Kroger released its own mobile, contactless payment method called Kroger Pay.
It works very similarly to Apple Pay.
You sign up for it on the Kroger mobile app.
You attach different payment methods to the wallet.
Then you go shopping.
Once you’re ready to check out, you scan a QR code with the item scanner and proceed to scan your items, then confirm the transaction.
It pulls the funds from the payment method you have selected in Kroger Pay, then you’re ready to leave the store.
The main difference between Kroger Pay and Apple Pay is that Kroger Pay uses QR codes rather than relying on a signal from a terminal.
Because Kroger uses Kroger Pay, it doesn’t want to lose customers to Apple Pay.
Kroger Pay helps the stores generate more money but also ensures they don’t lose any money through processing fees that Apple Pay would force on them.
Kroger doesn’t take Apple Pay because it has its own contactless payment method called Kroger Pay.
3. Attracts More Customers To Kroger
Kroger is aware that not accepting Apple Pay may turn some customers away.
There are some customers who only want to pay through contactless means.
They’d rather shop elsewhere than use a store that doesn’t have a contactless option.
As such, by implementing Kroger Pay, they’re hoping to attract more people to their stores.
Having its own contactless payment system also allows Kroger to tie it into their loyalty rewards program.
Customers can earn cashback bonuses, reward points, and a number of other benefits when using Kroger Pay.
That’s not something they’d necessarily be able to pull off with Apple Pay.
Offering more benefits helps Kroger attract more customers to its stores.
Kroger doesn’t take Apple Pay because it doesn’t necessarily help them attract more people to its stores.
What Mobile Payments Does Kroger Accept?
The only mobile payment that Kroger accepts is Kroger Pay.
They don’t accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or anything similar.
That’s because they want their customers to use Kroger Pay.
It doesn’t make much sense for them to allow their competitors access to their stores.
Otherwise, there’s a good chance that people would just stick with the mobile payment system they know rather than adopt a new one.
As such, Kroger only accepts Kroger Pay as a mobile payment option.
How To Use Kroger Pay To Pay For Your Groceries
Since Kroger doesn’t accept Apple Pay, your only option is to use Kroger Pay.
The good news is that using Kroger Pay is quite simple.
Here are the steps you should follow to use Kroger Pay when shopping at Kroger.
1. Install The Kroger App
In order to access Kroger Pay, you need to download the Kroger app.
Once you have the app downloaded, you should see an option for Kroger Pay on the app’s menu or in the wallet.
If you don’t see an option, then there’s a chance that Kroger Pay isn’t accepted at your local Kroger just yet.
2. Set Up Authentication
When you first click on Kroger Pay, you should receive a prompt to submit authentication or verification information.
This usually involves making a PIN.
You can also choose to verify yourself with biometric information like scanning your face or finger.
Once you have your authentication information set, you’ll need to submit it each time you want to use Kroger Pay.
It helps ensure it’s you trying to pay for something and not a stranger who happened to pick up your phone.
3.Choose Payment Methods
Once your account is secure, you’ll need to choose how you want to pay for your groceries.
You’ll see an option for a wallet or payment method.
Click that and type in the information for your credit card or debit card.
You can also link your Kroger cards to your account.
Choose the method you primarily want to use to pay for your things at Kroger.
You’re then ready to go shopping.
4.Go Shopping
At this point, you’re ready to head to Kroger.
You can head to your local Kroger store and start filling your basket.
It’s not a bad idea to set your primary store as the one you typically shop in on your Kroger app.
You can also clip coupons on the Kroger app which can be applied to your total when checking out.
Once you have all the items you need, it’s time to check out.
5. Checkout With Kroger Pay
If you’re checking out with a cashier, then paying with Kroger Pay is extremely easy.
All you need to do is access the app and tap on Kroger Pay.
Submit the verification information you need.
You’ll see a QR code that you need to scan or have the cashier scan for you.
They’ll then scan your items.
Once the cashier scans all your items, you’ll see an option on your phone to confirm the purchase.
You can also apply any coupons you saved to your Kroger account at this point.
After you confirm the purchase on your phone, everything will transfer, and you’re good to go.
Those who are using self-checkout will have an additional step.
Instead of a cashier scanning your items, you’ll need to scan your items yourself.
It’s still a good idea to scan your QR code before scanning your items.
When you’re finished scanning, you’ll see an option that reads “Mobile” on the self-checkout screen.
Click that, then you can apply your coupons and confirm the purchase.
Either way, after confirming your purchase, you’re able to take your things and head out of the store.
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