IRVING, Texas -- Most 7-Eleven stores will soon accept digital wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay, another sign of the push from America’s largest convenience-store chain to improve its digital capabilities. Support for each service is expected at most U.S. stores throughout September and adds to the company's portfolio of mobile payment options that includes Samsung Pay.
The move to accept more digital payment platforms follows a broader tech-forward strategy, including the launch of 7-Eleven Now, a delivery app, in select U.S. markets; and 7Rewards, an app-based revamp of the chain’s customer loyalty program.
"Frictionless experiences are the future, and digital payments are key to such experiences. Consumers prefer shopping at retailers that offer digital payment capabilities," said Gurmeet Singh, chief digital officer and chief information officer of 7-Eleven. "The ability to pay with their smart device gives consumers one more reason to shop at 7-Eleven."
The announcement follows recent news from Apple CEO Tim Cook that 7-Eleven and CVS pharmacies would soon accept Apple Pay. Both 7-Eleven and CVS were members of the Merchant Customer Exchange, which supported the CurrentC mobile payment platform in an effort to compete against NFC payments.
Apple Pay is available for iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and later, and the Apple Watch. The program does not store credit-card numbers on the mobile device or on Apple servers. Rather, each transaction is authorized with a one-time security code. Google Pay is available on Android phones; it allows for more seamless online purchases, in addition to in-store purchases.
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven operates, licenses or franchises more than 66,000 stores globally. The retailer is No. 1 on CSP's 2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
Photograph courtesy of Apple
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.