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Unlike fellow big box retailers Target and Walgreens, Walmart isn't on board with Apple Pay. Neither is Best Buy. Consumerist reports that the two companies are passing up Apple Pay in favor of another mobile payment app called CurrentC.
Unlike Apple Pay, CurrentC will be able to be used on iPhones and Androids. It'll also only require a software download, as opposed to installing near-field-communication readers (or NFC) at the checkout counter. Consumerist notes that only 10% of merchants are currently using NFC readers.
Another big plus for CurrentC: the Chicago Tribune reports that it can't be linked to a credit card. You can either connect the app to your bank account or load cash onto it, which means no swipe fees for retailers. According to the Tribune, the stores plan to take those savings and use them for customer discounts and rewards programs. CurrentC's nationwide roll-out is slated for next year, and includes other retailers, like Gap.
· Wal-Mart spurns Apple on payment systems [Chicago Tribune]
· Walmart, Best Buy Won't Accept Apple Pay At Their Stores [The Consumerist]
· Target's Psyched for You to Load Sensitive Data Onto Your Phone [Racked]
· Walmart Makes Cash-Strapped Employees Buy New Uniforms [Racked]