Target launches 'Wallet' mobile payments platform, continues to ignore Apple Pay
Target on Monday introduced Wallet, a new mobile payments platform that allows customers to pay for items at brick-and-mortar Target stores, and reap savings, using the Target app on iOS and Android.
![](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23886-30702-171204-Target-l.jpg)
Announced in a press release, the QR code-based system lets customers provision Target REDcards on their device, which can be used in conjunction with digital savings like Cartwheel offers and Weekly Ad coupons at checkout.
According to the company, Wallet is up to four times faster than other in-store payment types. Which payment systems were tested as part of Target's impromptu study is unknown.
"Wallet in the Target app makes checkout easier and faster than ever," said Mike McNamara, chief information and digital officer at Target. "Guests are going to love the convenience of having payment, Cartwheel offers, Weekly Ad coupons and GiftCards all in one place with Wallet."
Unlike NFC-based solutions like Apple Pay, Target's Wallet relies on generated QR codes that can be scanned at a point-of-sale terminal.
To pay, users are instructed to open the app, tap on "Wallet," scan coupon barcodes with an iPhone's camera, scan their Wallet barcode at the POS terminal for Cartwheel offers, then press "Pay." Provided screenshots also show options to make cash withdrawals from an associated debit card and apply gift card credit, but those features were left unmentioned in today's release.
Target is the latest big-box chain to roll out an in-house payments solution instead of adopting existing technologies like Apple Pay. Walmart, another Apple Pay holdout, debuted the QR code-based Walmart Pay to all U.S. stores last year.
It was Target and Walmart that led the charge against Apple Pay implementation in favor of in-house technology developed by the Merchant Customer Exchange consortium, of which both companies are founding members. Dubbed CurrentC, the mobile payments solution was touted as a segment competitor by MCX until the pilot program fizzled out last June. MCX subsequently sold the defunct platform to JPMorgan Chase earlier this year.
Earlier this year, a Target customer service representative gave Apple device owners false hope in a tweet saying the retailer was working to integrate Apple Pay in its stores. Target quickly denied the claims, noting it had no plans to make Apple Pay available beyond in-app purchases.
Those interested in taking advantage of Target's Wallet technology can download the company's app from the iOS App Store.
![](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23886-30702-171204-Target-l.jpg)
Announced in a press release, the QR code-based system lets customers provision Target REDcards on their device, which can be used in conjunction with digital savings like Cartwheel offers and Weekly Ad coupons at checkout.
According to the company, Wallet is up to four times faster than other in-store payment types. Which payment systems were tested as part of Target's impromptu study is unknown.
"Wallet in the Target app makes checkout easier and faster than ever," said Mike McNamara, chief information and digital officer at Target. "Guests are going to love the convenience of having payment, Cartwheel offers, Weekly Ad coupons and GiftCards all in one place with Wallet."
Unlike NFC-based solutions like Apple Pay, Target's Wallet relies on generated QR codes that can be scanned at a point-of-sale terminal.
To pay, users are instructed to open the app, tap on "Wallet," scan coupon barcodes with an iPhone's camera, scan their Wallet barcode at the POS terminal for Cartwheel offers, then press "Pay." Provided screenshots also show options to make cash withdrawals from an associated debit card and apply gift card credit, but those features were left unmentioned in today's release.
Target is the latest big-box chain to roll out an in-house payments solution instead of adopting existing technologies like Apple Pay. Walmart, another Apple Pay holdout, debuted the QR code-based Walmart Pay to all U.S. stores last year.
It was Target and Walmart that led the charge against Apple Pay implementation in favor of in-house technology developed by the Merchant Customer Exchange consortium, of which both companies are founding members. Dubbed CurrentC, the mobile payments solution was touted as a segment competitor by MCX until the pilot program fizzled out last June. MCX subsequently sold the defunct platform to JPMorgan Chase earlier this year.
Earlier this year, a Target customer service representative gave Apple device owners false hope in a tweet saying the retailer was working to integrate Apple Pay in its stores. Target quickly denied the claims, noting it had no plans to make Apple Pay available beyond in-app purchases.
Those interested in taking advantage of Target's Wallet technology can download the company's app from the iOS App Store.
Comments
As Steve said, customers don't know what they want until you show it to them. But Target is totally misunderstanding that, in this case.
Besides, I bet you can easily find anecdotal evidence from customers who've actually used the feature that will show they are happy with the process and the savings.
It's the strangest thing as Target has supported Apple Pay ONLINE since launch.
Serve the customer.... Not your stupidity Target.
That is, if those metrics are real. Are those numbers in your post Tenderbites real or was it an example? If not real, than forget about this post.
Stupid CEO!
>90% of companies where the founder dies and is replaced by professional CEO's eventually go out of business. Apple, Boeing. Ford, McDonalds, etc., are the exceptions and not the rule. 85% of Fortune 500 companies in 1950 are now out of business. Why Americans continue to show such reverence (and high salaries) to CEO's is beyond me!
Best
Many people use the Cartwheel app for store discounts, so they already have the bar code up to scan, so this isn’t adding any steps for theml, and the additional 5% discount with the red card is reason enough for me to use the red card instead of my Discover or Master card.