CVS testing Apple Pay, but chain says no official support ready yet
U.S. pharmacy chain CVS appears to be testing support for Apple Pay, although the company says it still has no official launch date, and is currently only "evaluating" mobile payment options.
From an AppleInsider tipster.
Accounts of miscellaneous CVS locations accepting Apple Pay transactions have occurred for about a month on Twitter, and a tip received by AppleInsider suggests transactions are working at a location in Key West, Fla.
CVS has also taken to Twitter, however, stating that it isn't officially accepting Apple Pay, or any other mobile payment platform based on NFC.
"We are in the process of evaluating mobile payment options for our customers," the company said on Monday.
CVS has lagged behind rivals Rite Aid and Walgreens in adding support. Upgrading a national chain for Apple Pay can be a major endeavor however, since a business must not only update its backend but invest in marketing and NFC-capable terminals. Smaller businesses can make use of cheaper Apple Pay-compatible readers tied to payment services like Square.
Accordingly major merchant support for Apple Pay has grown much more slowly than bank and credit union compatibility. Even as the platform comes to countries like Singapore and Switzerland, many U.S. retailers that have pledged support -- like Anthropologie, Chick-fil-A, Forever 21, and JCPenney -- have yet to deliver.
From an AppleInsider tipster.
Accounts of miscellaneous CVS locations accepting Apple Pay transactions have occurred for about a month on Twitter, and a tip received by AppleInsider suggests transactions are working at a location in Key West, Fla.
CVS has also taken to Twitter, however, stating that it isn't officially accepting Apple Pay, or any other mobile payment platform based on NFC.
"We are in the process of evaluating mobile payment options for our customers," the company said on Monday.
CVS has lagged behind rivals Rite Aid and Walgreens in adding support. Upgrading a national chain for Apple Pay can be a major endeavor however, since a business must not only update its backend but invest in marketing and NFC-capable terminals. Smaller businesses can make use of cheaper Apple Pay-compatible readers tied to payment services like Square.
Accordingly major merchant support for Apple Pay has grown much more slowly than bank and credit union compatibility. Even as the platform comes to countries like Singapore and Switzerland, many U.S. retailers that have pledged support -- like Anthropologie, Chick-fil-A, Forever 21, and JCPenney -- have yet to deliver.
Comments
That CVS is on a corner. Directly across is a McDonald's, and the next two businesses down from CVS, an Ocean State Job Lot and a Big Y supermarket all accept Apple Pay. When I'm heading that way I don't bring my wallet. Too bad for CVS.
We have become so inured to these comstant failures by store chains, we have trouble being outraged and demanding serious penalties.
I'm not aware of any additional fees for merchants to process NFC vs cards. sounds like your friend is full of as much baloney as CVS is.
Walgreens has been just fine. Thank you very much
I'm still hoping Costco will remove the tape covering their chip readers, never mind NFC.
I forgot my wallet at home today (yep, a stupid move...), but was able to get by at work no problem as the food services here all take NFC payments. So purchased coffee and lunch right from the Apple Watch. NFC terminals are widely deployed in service industries here in Canada, so I am able to use Pay multiple times every day.
Not so good on my trip to Atlantic City last week. Even when terminals had the NFC sign on them, the merchants said they weren't activated. I was able to use Pay just once, and had to sign a paper copy anyways... Clearly a steep hill to climb in the USA to get NFC terminals deployed (and active!) in enough locations.
Walgreen's is a little out of the way for me, and no reason for me to shun CVS, if the store ever gets NFC readers. It does have chip readers and I have chipped cards.